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22/09/2003
TV ads warn of health risks from 'light' cigarettes
A series of advertisements, designed to expose how smokers may have been misled by suggestions that so-called 'low-tar' or 'light' and 'mild' cigarettes are less dangerous than regular cigarettes, are set to hit television screens tomorrow.
The series of adverts are the first in a three-year anti-tobacco campaign run by Cancer Research UK and funded by the Department of Health. The funding comes from a £15 million war chest ear-marked by the government to involve major charities in telling the public about the dangers of tobacco.
One of the aims of the campaign – titled 'Death Repackaged' – is to highlight how brand and marketing strategies may have misled smokers about the perceived health benefits of smoking 'light' and 'mild' cigarettes.
These terms will be outlawed under the European Union's Directive On Tobacco Product Regulation which comes into force on September 30.
The ad campaign seeks to inform smokers that all cigarettes are deadly, whatever it says on the packaging. The terms 'light' and 'mild' do not mean that a cigarette is less deadly to the smoker than a regular cigarette.
Despite the forthcoming ban on these terms, smokers will continue to face confusing brand messages from the tobacco industry. The 'low-tar' terms such as 'light', 'mild', or 'ultra light' have disappeared from packs, but the brands remain through subtle design changes or new names like 'silver', 'white', 'fine' or 'smooth'.
The hard-hitting 'Death Repackaged' campaign will be spread across TV, radio, newspapers and billboards. Its central theme is that if something is dangerous, giving it a friendlier name or image does not make it less deadly.
Launching the campaign, Public Health Minister Melanie Johnson said: "The effects of smoking are devastating. Not only does it cause 120,000 deaths annually, the economic costs to the NHS are estimated at £1.7 billion every year.
"By giving funding to charities who deal with the consequences of smoking, we can help raise awareness of the dangers. I am happy to welcome the new Cancer Research UK campaign as the first example of this initiative."
Professor Gerard Hastings, Director of the Cancer Research UK Centre for Tobacco Control Research at the University of Strathclyde, said: "The tobacco industry allows the belief that some cigarettes are 'milder' than others to persist."
"This provides smokers with a 'fall back' position with their addiction - naturally a smoker feels they are moving in the right direction by choosing a 'low-tar' brand and often this is done instead of quitting. The longer a smoker's addiction continues, the longer they'll be contributing to the tobacco industry's profits."
(gmcg)
The series of adverts are the first in a three-year anti-tobacco campaign run by Cancer Research UK and funded by the Department of Health. The funding comes from a £15 million war chest ear-marked by the government to involve major charities in telling the public about the dangers of tobacco.
One of the aims of the campaign – titled 'Death Repackaged' – is to highlight how brand and marketing strategies may have misled smokers about the perceived health benefits of smoking 'light' and 'mild' cigarettes.
These terms will be outlawed under the European Union's Directive On Tobacco Product Regulation which comes into force on September 30.
The ad campaign seeks to inform smokers that all cigarettes are deadly, whatever it says on the packaging. The terms 'light' and 'mild' do not mean that a cigarette is less deadly to the smoker than a regular cigarette.
Despite the forthcoming ban on these terms, smokers will continue to face confusing brand messages from the tobacco industry. The 'low-tar' terms such as 'light', 'mild', or 'ultra light' have disappeared from packs, but the brands remain through subtle design changes or new names like 'silver', 'white', 'fine' or 'smooth'.
The hard-hitting 'Death Repackaged' campaign will be spread across TV, radio, newspapers and billboards. Its central theme is that if something is dangerous, giving it a friendlier name or image does not make it less deadly.
Launching the campaign, Public Health Minister Melanie Johnson said: "The effects of smoking are devastating. Not only does it cause 120,000 deaths annually, the economic costs to the NHS are estimated at £1.7 billion every year.
"By giving funding to charities who deal with the consequences of smoking, we can help raise awareness of the dangers. I am happy to welcome the new Cancer Research UK campaign as the first example of this initiative."
Professor Gerard Hastings, Director of the Cancer Research UK Centre for Tobacco Control Research at the University of Strathclyde, said: "The tobacco industry allows the belief that some cigarettes are 'milder' than others to persist."
"This provides smokers with a 'fall back' position with their addiction - naturally a smoker feels they are moving in the right direction by choosing a 'low-tar' brand and often this is done instead of quitting. The longer a smoker's addiction continues, the longer they'll be contributing to the tobacco industry's profits."
(gmcg)
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Smokers die 10 years younger, according to long-term study
On average cigarette smokers die 10 years younger than non-smokers, but stopping at age 50 halves the risk, and stopping at 30 avoids almost all of it, according to a 50-year-long study of smoking and death among British doctors, published in this week's British Medical Journal (BMJ).
Smokers die 10 years younger, according to long-term study
On average cigarette smokers die 10 years younger than non-smokers, but stopping at age 50 halves the risk, and stopping at 30 avoids almost all of it, according to a 50-year-long study of smoking and death among British doctors, published in this week's British Medical Journal (BMJ).
08 March 2007
Survey reveals 'secret smokers'
One in ten people are 'secret smokers' who try to keep their habit hidden, a new survey has revealed. The survey of 4,000 adults, commissioned by Boots, found that 52% of smokers had not told their parents about their habit, while a third had lied to their family, who believed that they had given up or never smoked at all.
Survey reveals 'secret smokers'
One in ten people are 'secret smokers' who try to keep their habit hidden, a new survey has revealed. The survey of 4,000 adults, commissioned by Boots, found that 52% of smokers had not told their parents about their habit, while a third had lied to their family, who believed that they had given up or never smoked at all.
23 March 2006
Male smokers 'more likely to be impotent'
Men who smoke more than a pack of cigarettes per day are 40% more likely to be impotent than those who do not, according to new research. Research conducted as part of the Australian Study of Health and Relationships questioned over 8,000 men aged between 16 and 59 on erection problems.
Male smokers 'more likely to be impotent'
Men who smoke more than a pack of cigarettes per day are 40% more likely to be impotent than those who do not, according to new research. Research conducted as part of the Australian Study of Health and Relationships questioned over 8,000 men aged between 16 and 59 on erection problems.
15 January 2007
Fire prevention campaign targets smokers
Smokers are being targeted by a new government campaign highlighting fire prevention in the home. The £1 million 'Put It Out, Right Out' campaign highlights the consequences of careless smoking. Government research found that households with a smoker living in them are nearly 35% more likely to have a fire than non-smoking homes.
Fire prevention campaign targets smokers
Smokers are being targeted by a new government campaign highlighting fire prevention in the home. The £1 million 'Put It Out, Right Out' campaign highlights the consequences of careless smoking. Government research found that households with a smoker living in them are nearly 35% more likely to have a fire than non-smoking homes.
03 October 2011
Tobacco Vending Has Last Cough
The sale of tobacco from vending machines is now prohibited across England. The ban has been introduced to prevent under-age sales to children and to support adults who are trying to quit. Nearly all of adult smokers started smoking before they turned 18 and every year over 300,000 children try smoking for the first time.
Tobacco Vending Has Last Cough
The sale of tobacco from vending machines is now prohibited across England. The ban has been introduced to prevent under-age sales to children and to support adults who are trying to quit. Nearly all of adult smokers started smoking before they turned 18 and every year over 300,000 children try smoking for the first time.
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