North East youngsters protest at tobacco industry – World No Tobacco Day
Youth campaigners from Gateshead have joined forces with Fresh calling on the Government to introduce standardised packaging and get rid of ‘cool’ cigarette packaging, which they say attracts them to start smoking.
A shocking 9,000 under-18s take up the lethal addiction every year. Ahead of this year’s World No Tobacco Day (May 31), 11-19 year olds involved in the Gateshead Youth Assembly have been making their voice heard against powerful tobacco multi-nationals to prevent others from ever starting.
Members of the Youth Assembly joined more than a hundred young people in London, to protest against the enticing designs of current cigarette packaging – some which use logos that closely resemble children’s toys and women’s perfume boxes.
They’re choosing to speak out on the day that Fresh releases findings from YouGov which show most adults do not trust the tobacco industry and believe public health policies should be protected from the influence of multi-national tobacco corporations.
The independent 2014 SmokefreeYouGov poll, commissioned by Action on Smoking and Health found:
• Nearly half (43%) of North East adults think the government’s activities to limit smoking are not doing enough
• Only 9% of North East adults agree or strongly agree that the tobacco industry can be trusted to tell the truth.
• 77% of North East adults support the idea that government health policy should be protected from the influence of the tobacco industry.
• 78% of North East adults agree or strongly agree that tobacco companies should be required to disclose the amount spent on lobbying politicians, front groups and promoting their products.
Protesting outside British American Tobacco’s (BAT) headquarters on the day of its AGM, earlier this month, the youth assembly supports the Government’s plans to introduce standardised packaging which will reduce the attractiveness of current cigarette packs and increase the health warnings.
With nearly 9,000 young people starting smoking every year in the North East to replace the 5,500 local people across the region who die every year from tobacco related diseases or those fortunate to have quit, Fresh has joined Gateshead Youth Assembly in accusing tobacco multi-nationals of profiting from an addiction that nearly always starts in childhood.
Ailsa Rutter, Director of Fresh, said: “Tobacco companies are probably amongst the least trusted companies on earth and it is no surprise after their shameful history over the past half century. They sell and profit from a lethal addiction which nearly always starts in childhood.
“Cigarette packs are one of the last remaining forms of promotion and advertising. Why else do tobacco companies make the packs so appealing, aiming them clearly as fashion accessories at young people? It’s fantastic to see local young people from Gateshead take a stand against the companies that manufacture a product that is our region’s biggest killer.
“On World No Tobacco Day we should remember the people who have died from smoking but also feel angry at the industry which has profited as a result.
“We’re urging Ministers now to commit to removing these enticing brands and protect our children.”
Gateshead Youth Council is a registered charity which develops projects and services, and involves itself in issues concerning young people in Gateshead. Youth focused and youth led, it is supported by Gateshead Council.
Alice Wiseman, Consultant in public health for Gateshead Council, said: “We welcome young people getting involved in issues around tackling smoking. We know that half of all long-term smokers will die prematurely from their addiction, and so the tobacco industry needs to recruit young people as the next generation of potential smokers. Across the North East, the average age of those who start to smoke is 15, and so young people have a lot to contribute in helping to turn off the tap of new smokers.
“Tackling tobacco at a range of levels – including consideration of place and promotion – will play a key role in improving people’s health both today and in the future, and this is a key focus of activity for us all.
“I’m pleased to see that the next generation is every bit as committed to tackling tobacco use as the present generation. That brings great hope for the future, as we aspire to make smoking history.”