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Cancer Council Queensland has welcomed the Queensland Government’s introduction of tougher anti-tobacco laws today banning smoking in cars carrying children under 16.
Spokesperson for Cancer Council Queensland, Anne Savage, said the reforms would help to protect young people from the harmful effects of tobacco.
“Children are especially vulnerable to the health effects of tobacco smoke because their lungs and immune systems are still developing.
“Exposure to concentrated sources of second-hand tobacco smoke in confined spaces, such as cars, can lead to poor health, lung disease and death.
“We hope the Government will extend this law to protect all young people under the age of 18.”
The new laws also gave councils the power to regulate smoking in malls and at public transport waiting areas, including bus stops.
“While this is encouraging, the Cancer Council has called on the State Government to take responsibility for governing smoking in public places, rather than burdening local councils with responsibility for protecting public health,” Ms Savage said.
“We recommend the creation of state-wide laws to govern smoking in public places, in order to protect Queenslanders from exposure to second-hand smoke.”
Cancer Council Queensland has also called on the State Government to ban cigarette displays in shops.
"Young people are especially vulnerable to retail promotions and are easily influenced by marketing and cigarette packaging,” said Ms Savage.
Statistics show that 9.3 per cent of 14 to 19 year-olds in Queensland smoke.
“We need new laws to ensure our next generation of Queenslanders doesn’t follow the current tragic pattern of 3,400 deaths each year from tobacco-related disease.”
Although daily smoking trends in Queensland have been declining, 17.2 per cent of Queenslanders still smoke daily, which is significantly greater than the national rate of 16.6 percent.
Queensland’s smoking prevalence is one of the worst in Australia, with only Tasmania and the Northern Territory recording higher rates.
“For the health of our next generation of Queenslanders, we need to do better,” she said.
Spokesperson for Cancer Council Queensland, Anne Savage, said the reforms would help to protect young people from the harmful effects of tobacco.
“Children are especially vulnerable to the health effects of tobacco smoke because their lungs and immune systems are still developing.
“Exposure to concentrated sources of second-hand tobacco smoke in confined spaces, such as cars, can lead to poor health, lung disease and death.
“We hope the Government will extend this law to protect all young people under the age of 18.”
The new laws also gave councils the power to regulate smoking in malls and at public transport waiting areas, including bus stops.
“While this is encouraging, the Cancer Council has called on the State Government to take responsibility for governing smoking in public places, rather than burdening local councils with responsibility for protecting public health,” Ms Savage said.
“We recommend the creation of state-wide laws to govern smoking in public places, in order to protect Queenslanders from exposure to second-hand smoke.”
Cancer Council Queensland has also called on the State Government to ban cigarette displays in shops.
"Young people are especially vulnerable to retail promotions and are easily influenced by marketing and cigarette packaging,” said Ms Savage.
Statistics show that 9.3 per cent of 14 to 19 year-olds in Queensland smoke.
“We need new laws to ensure our next generation of Queenslanders doesn’t follow the current tragic pattern of 3,400 deaths each year from tobacco-related disease.”
Although daily smoking trends in Queensland have been declining, 17.2 per cent of Queenslanders still smoke daily, which is significantly greater than the national rate of 16.6 percent.
Queensland’s smoking prevalence is one of the worst in Australia, with only Tasmania and the Northern Territory recording higher rates.
“For the health of our next generation of Queenslanders, we need to do better,” she said.
