ASH Australia media release                                        July 25, 2005

Smokers still in the dark on health harm

New report shows ignorance; better campaigns needed

 
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Most Australian smokers are still in the dark about the nature and full extent of health harm caused by tobacco use, according to a new national survey* published today. 

The survey of more than 1300 Australians in 800 households includes findings that that:

  • most smokers are unaware that tobacco is our leading drug-related cause of death;

  • many wrongly believe other health problems to be greater killers; and

  • around a quarter believe the lives of about one in five smokers are shortened, where the real figure is one in two.

Nevertheless, most Australians support stronger government action, including smokefree public places. 73% support banning smoking in cars carrying children.

The poll was carried out in December 2004 by independent research consultants Stollznow Research, commissioned by healthcare company Pfizer Australia and non-government health group Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) Australia.

Says ASH Chief Executive Anne Jones:

“Australians seriously underestimate the harm caused by smoking and are ill informed about the deadly range of diseases caused by smoking.

“New graphic warnings on cigarette packets from March next year will go part of the way towards better informing smokers but more needs to be done.

“This study shows the warnings need to be part of a comprehensive mass media campaign to break down these widespread misconceptions and to improve quitting services for smokers.”

To help raise awareness about tobacco diseases ASH and Pfizer have collaborated on this month’s edition of the Pfizer Australia Health Report.#  

 * See the survey.

# See the report - for more info,  ph. 1800-675-229.  

Comment:                    
Anne Jones, CEO, ASH Australia  ph. (02) 9334-1876;  m. 0417-227-879

More information: 
Amy McIntosh, Hausmann Communications  ph. (02) 8353-5718;  m. 0404-489-917
Stafford Sanders, ASH   ph. (02) 9334-1823;   m. 0412-070-194 

 

 

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