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Don't be passive about smoking

4 February 2008

The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) is urging smokers to quit the habit so non-smokers don't suffer this World Cancer Day, on February 4.

"Filling the air with tobacco smoke is a major health hazard. About 700 million children, which are almost half of the world's children, breathe air polluted by tobacco smoke. And most of the damage is done in the home," said Dr Vasantha Preetham, RACGP President.

"World Cancer Day, organised by the International Union Against Cancer, is sending the simple message of, ‘second-hand smoke is a health hazard for you and your family. There is no safe level of exposure to second-hand smoke. Give your child a smoke-free childhood'.

"There is strong evidence about the harms of passive smoking especially to young children and babies. Parents and pregnant women need to be aware of the damage they could be doing to their children by smoking in the house or car. The only way to make sure your child isn't inhaling cigarette smoke on your watch is to have a total smoking ban.

"Children are more susceptible to the toxic effects of cigarette smoke because their lungs are still developing and children of parents who smoke are more likely to suffer from asthma and serious chest infections including bronchitis and pneumonia. It also causes middle ear infection - a common cause of hearing loss in children - and smoking during pregnancy and around the baby in its first year of life is one of the major risk factors for sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS or cot death).

"Smoking harms nearly every organ in the body, causing many diseases and reducing health in general in both the smoker and anyone exposed to their second-hand smoke. Resolving to quit smoking requires a solid support network and sound advice. Your general practitioner can give you all the information and can help with the challenge of quitting.

"Cancer is Australia's number one killer, with skin non-melanoma skin cancer the most prevalent in our sun-drenched climate. Your general practitioner is the best place to start for quality, evidence-based information and can provide you and your family with ongoing support and palliative care."

For more information, visit www.cancer.org.au, www.who.org or www.uicc.org.

Publication Date: 4 February 2008
Authorised By: Media