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“
Tasmanian
churches, child health and community organisations have expressed
disappointment with a Tasmanian government decision today to leave
shop displays of tobacco in the faces of children. But
the organisations have welcomed government decisions to ban smoking in
cars carrying children and to ban fruit-flavoured cigarettes. A
large coalition of health and child welfare organisations had urged
the Lennon Government to protect children by putting tobacco products
out of sight in shops. But the government has announced it will
continue to allow one square metre of tobacco displays (and four
square metres in tobacconists). Spokesperson
for the coalition, Dr Harley Stanton (Tasmanian resident, former WHO
health expert and President-elect of the Asia-Pacific Association for
the Control of Tobacco) said: “The
decision will reduce display, but it’s not good enough. One square
metre of tobacco display in kids’ faces is still one square metre
too much. “We’re
disappointed that the government has compromised children’s health
following misleading representations from tobacco retailers. “We
urge the government and all MPs to review this decision and to bring a
total display ban into effect as soon as possible. “In
the short term, retailers choosing to continue displaying this deadly
and addictive product could at least be required to show a graphic
warning picture of equal size.” Churches
supporting removing tobacco from children’s view are the Baptist
Union, Catholic, Friends (Quaker), Lutheran and Uniting Churches of
Tasmania; the Tasmanian Council of Churches; the Church of Christ
Hobart; and nationally, the Public Affairs Commission of the Anglican
Church. The
churches and their allies have pointed to independent research showing
retail displays normalise tobacco to children and predispose them
towards smoking. “We
are also very disappointed that the government will allow child staff
to continue to sell tobacco products – leaving them even more
associated with acceptable child behaviour.” See
evidence at www.ashaust.org.au/lv3/action_POS.htm
Comment:
Dr
Harley Stanton
ph. m. 0418-344-703;
(03) 6327-3448 Media
info:
Stafford Sanders
ph. (02) 9334-1823; m.
0412-070-194
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Page last updated 1/3/07 |
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