Young Plymouth politicians back hiding tobacco in shops
YOUNG politicians in Plymouth have backed a national campaign calling for shops to put tobacco products out of sight.
Members of Plymouth's Youth Parliament have supported Cancer Research UK's 'Out of Sight, Out of Mind Campaign'.
As well as backing new restrictions on tobacco displays at the point of sale, the campaign is pushing for strong action on cigarette vending machines and plain packaging for cigarettes.
Marcus Natale, Deputy Member of Plymouth's Youth Parliament, aged 15, said: "I think the Out of Sight, Out of Mind campaign is a great way to diminish the sale of cigarettes to a youth market.
"We can't put a permanent stop to young smokers, however, with the help of stronger restrictions upon the sale and display of tobacco, it can be possible to reduce the number of young smokers."
He said that the issue of young smokers be tackled by providing more direct education and restrictions within the law.
It comes as new tobacco control legislation being discussed in the House of Lords.
One of the key new measures in the proposals is to remove all tobacco products from sight in shops.
Researchers say there is good evidence that this will help to reduce the number of young people who start smoking by protecting them from tobacco marketing.
Marcus said: "These new guidelines have received the appreciation of the youth as a majority of 64 per cent of young people aged 11 to 16 want cigarettes out of sight a testament to our want for a healthier generation."
Jenny Evans, Plymouth Youth Cabinet member, aged 14, added: "I think that putting tobacco out of sight is a good thing.
"However I think that to make less people smoke we really need to be openly advertising the effects of smoking."
Research released this week by Cancer Research UK shows almost two thirds (64 per cent) of 11 to 16 year olds want cigarettes put out of sight in shops. Only 16 per cent do not agree with the proposal.
Researchers interviewed more than 1,400 youngsters from across the UK.
Lesley Thomas, tobacco control manager at Plymouth NHS Stop Smoking Service, said: "It's great that our young people are clued up as to how the tobacco industry surreptitiously advertises using huge displays in shops.
"We have a large number of young smokers in Plymouth and absolutely any measure that discourages them from smoking must be supported locally."
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by Kin_Free, UK
Tuesday, May 12 2009, 11:38AM
“Is this satisfactory to you at the Herald? I have removed the web link. I feel strongly that Leslies comment should not be left unchallenged in the interests of equity, balance and free speech. The media are supposed to be the guardians of free speech, I hope you stand by that description.
Thanks
Kin.
**
Leslie quotes evidence from Hastings in support of the tobacco display ban ¿ His findings have been refuted by the Cato Institute, whose goals are liberty, free markets and peace. The Cato Institute also refutes other ¿evidence¿ too. (Some relevant quotes below)
Hasting¿s claims that an increased awareness of tobacco brands, supposedly from tobacco displays increases young people's susceptibility to becoming a smoker ¿ In fact this is wrong. The US Department of Health and Human Services study, found that interest in smoking and intention to smoke drives brand awareness rather than the other way around. Young people interested in smoking are interested in tobacco brands. Interest in tobacco brands does not lead to an interest in smoking.
This is confirmed by The Goddard Report that found displays were NOT one of the reasons in the uptake of youth smoking. Australian researchers led by Melanie Wakefield found the same as did Clive Smee, who carried out an extensive examination of advertising and adolescent smoking in the UK from 1960-1987.
Leslie claims that banning displays reduced youth smoking in Canada and Iceland ¿ This is also wrong. The government's own evidence shows that this is not the case. Studies from both Canada and Iceland fail to show that banning tobacco displays has had a statistically significant effect on youth smoking. In Canada there was no difference in youth smoking after display bans and in Iceland there was actually an increase of 3.1 per cent. During 2002, the first year after the display ban, adolescent smoking prevalence was the highest it had been for five years.
In short, there was no evidence to support a tobacco display ban that may lead to increased prevalence of youth smoking and will inevitably and seriously damage the retail trade, corner shops etc.”
by Lesley Thomas, Plymouth
Tuesday, May 12 2009, 8:47AM
“Having been invited to submit evidence on youth smoking and advertising, I would point you to the Centre for Tobacco Control Research report Point of Sale Display of Tobacco Products Aug 2008 that shows considerable and clear evidence that large tobacco displays do influence youth smoking in a number of ways. This is most clearly shown by the research of Professor Gerard Hastings. Moreover, countries that have introduced point of sale restrictions have seen a fall in youth smoking rates, eg Iceland and Canada.”
by chas, Little Britain
Monday, May 11 2009, 5:36PM
“Mike. I am not a tool of the tobacco industry. I am just a normal person who enjoys smoking. I resently went to Brussels and found that they didn't sell my normal brand of tobacco, but was able to select another brand thanks to being able to see a display of other products.
db. It is not illegal for under 18s to buy tobacco products and if it was it would deter them for attempting to buy them.”
by db, uk
Monday, May 11 2009, 3:55PM
“Why are minors being consulted over this issue? It is illegal for under 18s to purchase or be sold tobacco, so it has nothing to do with them whatsoever. Same as alcohol. Do they want that put under the counter as well? How about hiding all alcohol in pubs? After all, these appear to be overrun with children nowadays.”
by Kin_Free, UK
Monday, May 11 2009, 12:22PM
“This is the quote that is the most revealing;
"We have a large number of young smokers in Plymouth and ABSOLUTELY ANY measure that discourages them from smoking must be supported locally."
AND they really mean ANY measure. ANY measure whatsoever, regardless of the long term damage to society and restrictions on freedom. It is disgusting!
I agree with Nitro; this is blatant indoctrination of our youth and then using them for propaganda purposes.
Has 'education' gone SO wrong that this is accepted as normal - even celebrated?
This country really is becoming a carbon copy of 1930's Germany! What we need to worry about is if this allowed continuing we may end up with the horrendous injustices of 1940's Germany!”