Tobacco is no ordinary product, warns GP

Tobacco is no ordinary product, warns GP
23 August 2009

It’s astonishing that tobacco is on sale alongside everyday grocery items, says Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) Chair Professor Bruce Arroll.

"We've all grown up with tobacco being just another product, sold with food, magazines, and drinks. But tobacco is no ordinary product – it kills half its users – so why do we display cigarettes as if they were a harmless bottle of milk or a loaf of bread?"

His comments come as a new Face the Facts1 message is launched that warns tobacco is a common consumer product that kills half its users.

Professor Arroll says that as a GP, he sees first-hand the damage smoking causes – consigning people to a slow and painful death, and leaving families without loved ones.

"But what we forget is that many people were lured into smoking by slick tobacco advertising – including glamorous and sophisticated packaging.

"This 'killer' packaging is still on display today in nearly every dairy, supermarket and service station in the country.

"Why on earth do we let a dangerous product like cigarettes continue to be sold next to items children are attracted to, like lollies, drinks and magazines?"

Professor Arroll says displays of tobacco packs are just another way for the tobacco industry to advertise.

"Most other forms of tobacco advertising have been banned, so the industry uses the loophole of tobacco displays, to advertise its products.

"The evidence that these displays are tempting our kids into a life of addiction is overwhelming. ASH, the Cancer Society, and many other health groups are calling for the Government to ban displays of tobacco products."

ENDS

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