Startling statistics spur new advertising

Media Release

Startling statistics spur new advertising

The high number of cases of stroke, heart attack, asthma and glue ear attributable to exposure to second-hand cigarette smoke will challenge the views of many sceptics says Dr Peter Martin, Medical Advisor of The Quit Group.

“Each year hundreds of New Zealanders suffer serious ailments as a result of long-term exposure to second-hand smoke,” he says. "A surprisingly large number of deaths are also due to second-hand smoke – the evidence is overwhelming.”

The Quit Group will launch a new and challenging advertising campaign about the dangers of second-hand cigarette smoke on 11 August.

The campaign features two advertisements The Quit Group ran during the build up to World Smokefree Day, May 31 – but with a difference. The advertisements are now underpinned by some startling new statistics about the effect cigarette smoke is having on the health of non-smokers exposed to it – particularly in homes, bars and clubs.

“Smokers and non-smokers alike have to realise the extent to which smoking is damaging everyone’s health,” says Dr Martin.

“Recent findings showing the importance of second-hand smoke in causing a range of illnesses should serve as a wake up call to people who are still sceptical of the dangers.”

The advertisements convey second-hand smoke statistics in four new messages. They are;
- Second-hand smoke causes over 1,000 heart attacks in non-smokers every year
- Second-hand smoke causes over 500 strokes in non-smokers every year
- Second-hand smoke triggers 20,000 asthma attacks in children every year
- Second-hand smoke causes 1,000 cases of glue ear every year.

ENDS

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