A common excuse for not doing more about tobacco is that we don't want to be a "Nanny State."

Unfortunately, it's children and young people who have been Big Tobacco's main targets. Overwhelmingly, smokers become addicted while they're still children - often seeking to emulate young adults, and influenced by glamourised smoking in films. 

For decades, Big Tobacco have been targeting "new smokers" (euphemism for kids) - and continues to fight measures which would reduce smoking among both adults and young people.   See Philip Morris opposes proven measures to reduce child smoking:  Tobacco-Free Kids release 15/7/05

Many of the tobacco industry's dubious marketing ploys are aimed at youth.

Actions ASH seeks to reduce youth smoking rates include:

• Better funding of campaigns to reduce smoking;
  
• Better control over how tobacco is sold - see our protecting children page;
  
• Banning mobile tobacco selling at youth music events - 
  see pics and  ASH media release 4/8/07  
  GOOD MOVE: The NSW government has banned this - as all states and territories should.
  
• Stronger action against tobacco promotion in films 
  
  Take action against tobacco promotion in films 
  Young people seeing smoking in films tend  to smoke more. Most top Australian movies show smoking. We want to reduce this impact by mandating "counter-ads" before any film with smoking. 
  See Cancer Council NSW page on  Smoking in movies

Follow these links for more information for school students and staff;   for tertiary students and staff;  for parents. 

Tips for taking tobacco action

You can also help us by supporting us financially - or with your time and effort…..  

Page last updated 16/12/08