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“
Health
groups are calling for the withdrawal of a radio ad* for a cigarette
lighter that glamorises smoking on a popular youth radio station,
following a formal complaint to the Federal Government alleging a
breach of tobacco advertising law. Says
Anne Jones, Chief Executive of Action on Smoking and Health (ASH)
Australia: “While
lighters may be used for purposes other than smoking, our concern is
that this ad positively connects smoking cigarettes with social
success and glamour. “We’ve
made a complaint to the Federal Department of Health and Ageing - and
we’ve urged them not only to investigate this matter as quickly as
possible, but also to seek immediate withdrawal of the advertising
campaign pending investigation. “Tobacco
advertising laws are there especially to protect young people from
exposure to advertising for a lethal and addictive product. “Urgent
action should be taken to ensure that any illegal advertising is
removed before thousands more young people are exposed to the message
that smoking is cool”. Only
this month the latest survey of secondary school students showed an
alarming 205,000 children aged from 12 to 17 years of age are already
weekly smokers. Health
groups are concerned a long delay in action by the Federal Government
will expose too many young people to positive smoking adverts, while
allowing advertisers to get away with associating smoking with glamour
and social success. *Copies
of transcript available from ASH Comment:
Anne Jones, CEO, ASH Australia
ph. 0417-227-879 Media
inquiries:
Stafford Sanders ph.
(02) 9334-1823 m.
0412-070-194
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Page last updated on 15/12/04 |
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