ASH Australia media release                       June 30, 2006 (RED NOSE DAY)

Red Nose Day call for smokefree homes & cars to protect children

New report raises alarm on SIDS and other passive smoke harm  

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Governments and parents have been urged to protect children from secondhand smoke in cars, homes and crowded outdoor places – following a damning US Surgeon General’s report* on the harm caused by secondhand smoke.

The call comes on Red Nose Day for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (June 30) – in the wake of the Surgeon General’s report, released this week,  confirming that babies exposed to secondhand smoke are more likely to die from SIDS.

“Making cars and homes smokefree can save lives by reducing SIDS and other illness among the thirty percent of children who are living in households with at least one smoking parent”, said Anne Jones of Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) Australia.

The landmark report includes a long list of diseases and illnesses suffered by children who are involuntarily exposed to secondhand smoke - including bronchitis, pneumonia, acute respiratory infections, chronic coughs, phlegm and middle ear infections.

As secondhand smoke also causes cancer and heart disease and is particularly harmful to children, health groups are urging:

• parents to protect children by making homes and cars smokefree; and

• governments to support legislation for smokefree cars and crowded outdoor places, such as childrens’ playgrounds, bus shelters, doorways to buildings and at crowded outdoor events.

In NSW, a Select Committee is due to report to parliament today (June 30) on recommendations to reduce harm caused by smoking - including secondhand smoke in pubs, clubs and cars.

* See US Surgeon General’s report on secondhand smoke at

www.cdc.gov/tobacco/sgr/sgr_2006/index.htm

Comment:  Anne Jones, CEO, ASH Australia   ph. (02) 9334-1876   m. 0417-227-879

Media inquiries:   Stafford Sanders   ph. (02) 9334-1823    m. 0412-070-194  

Page last updated 30/6/06