Smoking multiplies meningococcal risk    

...and tobacco giant didn't tell us 

Children exposed to passive smoke are four times more likely to contract the deadly meningococcal disease – and tobacco trans-national Philip Morris has known of the link for seven years.

One in ten Australians are carriers of the disease – and one in six affected by it die.

Smokers are at increased risk because tobacco smoke deadens the small hairs at the back of the throat and nasal passages which play a key role in resisting infection.

QUIT Tasmania and the national health group ASH Australia are urging smokers to be more aware of the risk involved in being carriers of the disease.

“Young children are especially at risk,” warns Barbara Buckingham, Project Officer at QUIT Tasmania, “especially if  their parents smoke - because they’re more likely to be carriers, compounded by the danger of any ‘passive’ smoke inhaled by the children.”

Meningococcal disease is a serious infection caused by the bacterium Neisseria meningitides. Typical symptoms are sudden fevers, chills, headaches, nausea, rashes, back pain, stiff neck, confusion, and discomfort looking at bright lights. The disease is fatal in 15% of cases, and can also cause seizures and brain damage.

“The tobacco companies have kept us in the dark about the role played by smoking in this killer disease”, says Anne Jones, Chief Executive of ASH.

“Philip Morris knew of the link in 1994 – when their board received a formerly ‘confidential’ report, which they still haven’t acted upon or warned smokers about.” http://www.pmdocs.com/getallimg.asp?=avpidx&DOCID=2028443244/3247

The report warned of a “highly significant positive relationship” between smoking and carriage of the disease, and “increased susceptibility... due to passive and not-active smoking.” The report voiced concerns about exposing children under 11 to this risk.

To reduce the danger to smokers and their families, health groups are urging smokers to seek advice on quitting - and they’re calling for greater accountability from tobacco manufacturers who continue to produce deadly products with inadequate regulation.

Joint media release from ASH and Quit (Tasmania)

For further comment contact:
Anne Jones, ASH   ph. (02) 9334.1876
Barbara Buckingham, QUIT Tasmania ph. (03) 6228.2921

Media info:  Stafford Sanders, ASH  ph. (02) 9334.1823

Page last updated on 6/11/2001