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“
A
coalition of 37 health, child welfare, church and community groups has
urged the NSW government to ban smoking in cars carrying children. The
organisations, supporters of the Protecting Children from Tobacco
campaign, have pointed to research showing: ·
Smoking in cars exposes children to hazardous levels of
secondhand smoke; ·
Smoking while driving significantly increases accident and
fire risk; and ·
The community strongly supports a ban. “We
welcome the Premier’s recent statements indicating support for this
measure,” says coalition spokesperson Anne Jones, Chief Executive of
ASH Australia. “South Australia has such a ban in force since May,
and Tasmania is about to follow – it would be good to see NSW join
them.” Independent
research supporting a ban includes a Harvard University study on the
high smoke risk to children in cars,
a Monash University review of studies on accident risk, and a
Stollznow survey of Australian public opinion in 2005 showing 90%
support - including 53% seeing it as a “fantastic idea”. Says
Anne Jones: “There’s good evidence that exposure of children to
secondhand smoke in the confined space of a car can lead to serious
and potentially fatal harm – including from SIDS and asthma attacks.
“There’s
such strong community support for a ban that it would become largely
self-enforcing. Australians understand the distinction between
personal liberties and the need to protect children – as we
currently protect them with mandatory seatbelt laws. “In
South Australia, enforcement has not been a problem, with over 40
fines issued in the five months since their ban came into effect. If
we can enforce bans on driving while using mobile phones, we can just
as easily enforce bans on smoking in cars carrying children.” The
Protecting Children from Tobacco campaign is also calling for other
measures to protect children, including banning retail display of
tobacco products. Organisations
endorsing the campaign include key health groups (SIDS, heart, cancer,
asthma), medical colleges and professional organisations, major
churches and church agencies, child welfare and research
organisations.
Comment: Anne Jones, CEO, ASH Australia m. 0417-227-879 Media
info: Stafford
Sanders, ASH Australia
ph. (02) 9334-1823; m.
0412-070-194 |
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Page last updated 14/11/07 |
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