|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
| Back to Media Releases index |
“
Children
can start to show symptoms of tobacco dependence from the first puff, says a
new study – leading to calls for governments to support more
effective measures to protect children from tobacco. The
five-year study of more than 1200 students from year 7 to year 12,
just published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal*,
concludes that “symptoms of nicotine dependence develop soon after
first puff and can precede monthly, weekly and daily smoking.” Action
on Smoking and Health (ASH) Australia has called for all Australian
governments to take effective action to protect children from tobacco
by: ·
ending tobacco advertising of cigarette displays in shops
with an out-of-sight policy; ·
ending sales of cigarettes in shops by children; ·
fully implementing a licensing regime for tobacco sellers to
improve compliance with laws prohibiting tobacco sales to children;
and ·
reducing involuntary exposure to secondhand smoke by making
cars carrying children smokefree. Says
ASH Chief Executive Anne Jones: “This study is saying dependency on
tobacco products develops more quickly than previously thought. “We already have more than 205,000 Australian schoolchildren smoking regularly. “These kids are facing rows of brightly-coloured cigarette packets
every time they walk into one of Australia’s 35,000 tobacco outlets
– supermarkets, newsagents, convenience stores, petrol stations,
corner shops. “These
displays normalise smoking to them and encourage them to think it’s
very easy to get hold of tobacco – which it is, judging by the 24%
of child smokers who are being supplied illegally in shops. “All
governments should get behind measures to protect children from
tobacco, as it’s an illegal product for children that is killing
over 19,000 Australians each year.”
* Gervais A et al (August 1, 2006), “Milestones in the natural course of onset
of cigarette use among adolescents” in CMAJ
August 1, 2006; 175(3).
Doi:10.1503/cmaj.051235 at
www.ashaust.org.au/pdfs/Addiction1stPuff0608.pdf
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 4/9/06 |
|