Adolescents shun no smoking campaigns

As the world today marks No Tobacco Day, adolescents are sending education campaigns up in smoke with figures showing that a growing number of girls and boys enjoy puffing away.

Statistics highlighted at a press conference yesterday show that the number of adolescents aged between 11 and 15 who smoke shot up to an average of 24 per cent last year, from 19 per cent in 2000.

The number of deaths attributable to smoking in Malta is also on the increase, with 354 succumbing to smoke-related deaths last year, compared to 342 in 2001, according to Health Promotion Department figures.

Speaking at the news conference, held to mark No Tobacco Day, Health Minister Louis Deguara said these statistics were not encouraging especially when one considered the amount of money pumped into education and awareness campaigns.

However, he expressed hope that the situation would improve now that Malta, together with 191 countries, had adopted the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control.

Last week, the countries unanimously approved the first international treaty against smoking, including an advertising ban, at the World Health Assembly, the annual meeting of the World Health Organisation.

"In the past five years the department has worked to bring about a culture change with respect to smoking. But change is slow," Dr Deguara said.

A reformed smoker himself, Dr Deguara also spoke about the impact of role models on young people's smoking habits.

Department director Mario Spiteri said the anti-smoking campaign had roped in supermodel Christy Turlington, the face of Calvin Klein.

Ms Turlington, who became an avid campaigner after her father died as a result of smoking, had been expected to come to Malta to launch World No Tobacco Day, but she postponed travel plans after the Gulf crisis.

Mr Spiteri spoke about how smoking had been glamourised by the entertainment industry and how actors were now trying to reverse this trend.

WHO was this year appealing to the world of fashion and entertainment to eradicate the promotion of smoking.

The department was trying hard to persuade adolescents that smoking caused yellow teeth, bad breath, wrinkles and above all cancer.

The Tobacco Control Bill which started being debated in Parliament earlier this week concentrates on increasing the number of areas where smoking is banned and restricting advertising and sponsorship by tobacco firms.

Speaking on restrictions in restaurants, health director general Ray Busuttil said that some establishments voluntarily offered smoke-free restaurants.

"Patrons' complaints on smoking in restaurants is leading to a slow change in mentality," Dr Busuttil said.