Internet: http://www.quit.org.au
The introduction of smokefree laws in Victoria would
inspire many younger smokers to quit and encourage others to smoke less,
research released today has shown.
The *study, from the Cancer Council of Victoria,
revealed 28% of smokers are somewhat or very likely to quit smoking altogether
if smoking is banned in pubs, clubs and gambling venues.
A further 43% of smokers reported that it was
somewhat or very likely that they would smoke less if smoking were banned in
pubs and clubs.
Executive Director of Quit, Todd Harper, said
results showing bans would help many smokers, particularly the young, to quit
would strengthen the community wide call to ensure a smokefree Victoria.
“We are all familiar with the serious health
concerns of passive smoking in bars and clubs, and recent research has shown us
that 70% of Victorians want to see smoking bans in
place within the next six months, ” said Mr Harper
“Let’s not forget about the tremendous potential
of smoking bans in pubs and clubs to help smokers quit or reduce their tobacco
consumption,” said Mr Harper.
“The evidence is clear that by making bars and
clubs smokefree there is a tremendous opportunity to help people quit, or even
prevent them from taking up smoking in the first place.”
“Each year smoking kills around 4700 Victorians. From a public health point of view it is unacceptable to ignore this opportunity to reduce smoking amongst young people,” said Mr Harper.
Results
from the study revealed 52% of young people who smoke more than 5 cigarettes a
day, smoke most in bars and clubs. Following close behind, 43% of young people
who smoke less than 5 cigarettes a day, smoke most in bars and clubs.
“Almost 30% of smokers said they were more likely
to quit with the introduction of complete bans on smoking in bars and clubs.”
“Combine this with the fact that bars and clubs
are such popular places for younger people to smoke and there is little doubt of
the positive impact of smoking bans on the number of people quitting and on
smoking behaviours in general,” said Mr Harper.
Mr Harper said that a recent survey carried out for
the National Smokers’ Quitline in Ireland showed that almost 7000 smokers who
have contacted the national quitline have stopped smoking and 10 000 have
reduced their cigarette consumption, since similar bans were implemented.
“Out of those surveyed in Ireland almost four out
of ten people who quit smoking said the new bans had a significant or important
impact on their decision to quit, and over half said it was an important aspect
in terms of staying off cigarettes.”
“Now is time to follow the example of the Irish
and create and maintain smokefree environments that help people quit, and more
importantly stay off, cigarettes,” said Mr Harper
*Letcher T, Black C, Lipscomb
J, Wakefield M, Durkin S. Would
Victorian smokers find it easier to quit if bars and pubs were smokefree? CBRC
Research Paper Series No. 10. Melbourne, Australia: Centre for Behavioural
Research in Cancer, The Cancer Council Victoria, October 2004.
The research paper is available online at www.cancervic.org.au/cbrc-papers/rps10-2004.pdf
Todd
Harper is available for comment on (03) 9635 5522 or 0417 561 412.
Further
information:
Edwina Vellar, Media Manager
ph:
(03) 9635 5400
mob: 0417 303 811
email: edwina.vellar@cancervic.org.au