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Thursday July 21, 2011

Cancer Council Queensland has welcomed the news that Queen Street Mall will be smoke-free from September 1.

CEO of Cancer Council Queensland, Professor Jeff Dunn, congratulated Brisbane City Council for taking action to promote public health.

"A ban on smoking in the mall will provide a breath of fresh air for the heart of Brisbane city and further discourage people from continuing a potentially lethal habit," Prof Dunn said.

"There is no safe level of smoking or passive smoking and we commend Lord Mayor Graham Quirk and the Brisbane City Council for helping to create a healthier city heart."

Prof Dunn said most Queenslanders support the creation of smoke free cities and towns.

"Evidence shows that there are high levels of community support for smoking bans, and 80 per cent of adult smokers want to quit.

"More than 80 per cent of respondents to the Council survey supported a total ban of smoking in the Mall, consistent with other studies that have reported increasing public support for bans on smoking in public places," he said.

"Making Queen Street Mall smoke-free will protect people from the toxic effects of tobacco smoke, creating a more pleasant environment for shoppers, tourists, and retailers.

"It will also help to reduce cigarette litter and further reduce the prevalence of smoking and prevent tobacco related disease, disability, and death in the future.

"We also expect the ban will discourage young people from smoking socially."

Queensland Health figures estimate that 32,000 Queensland school children aged 12 to 17 smoke weekly.

"Even small amounts of exposure to tobacco smoke can be harmful, particularly for children and adolescents," Prof Dunn said.

"Today's announcement by the Lord Mayor sends an important signal to young people that smoking is not a habit worth taking up."

"Smokers who need help to quit smoking have our full support through the Quit program and can call 13 QUIT (13 78 48) for information and assistance."

Prof Dunn said he hoped Brisbane City Council's leadership would pave the way for the introduction of uniform statewide laws by the Queensland Government.

"Recent Federal and Queensland Government progress on tobacco control has been significant, but we need to take tougher action on tobacco control to save lives.

"With the full cooperation of the Queensland Government and local councils, we can create a smoke free Queensland and end the tragic toll of nearly 3,500 tobacco related deaths each year."

ENDS.

CONTACT:

Anne Savage, Chief Communications Officer, Cancer Council Queensland
Ph: 0417 709 869 or 3634 5241