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“
Proposals
to protect children from tobacco smoke and promotion, proposed by the
ACT government, are strongly supported by health, child welfare,
church and community organisations – and by the community. ASH
Australia, on behalf of a national coalition of 38 organisations
endorsing the Protecting Children from Tobacco campaign*, has today
(March 18) emailed Shadow ACT Health Minister Jacqui Burke to express
concern at her statement yesterday (March 17) criticising moves to end
tobacco display and tighten up on underage sales. “Ms
Burke has made several statements that need clarification”, says
Anne Jones, ASH Chief Executive. “The
proposed legislation followed extensive community consultations over
the past two years. There was much input from health, welfare and
community groups and from relevant business stakeholders. “Ending
tobacco display advertising and and making it harder to sell tobacco
to children are strongly supported by independent research evidence
and by
community opinion. “We
have met nationally with Woolworths and they support ending retail
displays across the board with no exceptions. “Given
that these are measures to protect children, it is misleading to
describe them as ‘nanny state’. Any society worth its salt
protects its children, and the evidence shows that retail displays of
tobacco are a powerful form of advertising that predisposes children
towards smoking. “Banning
retail displays has already been done overseas – in Thailand,
Iceland and eight Canadian provinces. In Australia, Tasmania has
already set a deadline to ban retail displays, and NSW has indicated
its intention to follow. “These
proposals are enthusiastically welcomed by people working with health
and child welfare, and by the community as a whole,” says Anne
Jones. “We
commend the ACT government for proposing these measures, which will
help to lower smoking rates, reduce deaths and disease, and save
health costs. “We
urge the ACT Opposition to join with us and with the community to
support this.” * Protecting Children
from Tobacco coalition – see list of 38 supporting organisations at www.ashaust.org.au/lv4/ProtectChildrenEndorsements.htm
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 18/3/08 |
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