[Intl-tobacco] Canadians overwhelmingly support graphic cigarette warnings

[Robert Weissman]

Canadians overwhelmingly support graphic cigarette warnings
Canada Newswire, 2002-04-01, via tobacco.org
URL: http://www.newswire.ca/releases/April2002/01/c0038.html


TORONTO, April 1 /CNW/ - Three out of four Canadians, including a
majority of smokers, support the new picture-based warnings on
cigarette packages in Canada, according to a new survey released
today by the Canadian Cancer Society.

In a survey of 2,014 Canadians conducted in March 2002, 76 per cent
of Canadians said they support the precedent setting picture-based
health warnings that were launched a year ago in Canada. Among
smokers, 59 per cent expressed support. Eighty-three per cent of
Canadians and 72 per cent of smokers also supported the detailed
health information, including tips on quitting, that is found on the
inside of cigarette packages. The survey was conducted by Environics
Research Group on behalf of the Canadian Cancer Society.

"Earlier studies have shown that the warnings have been effective at
discouraging smoking," says Ken Kyle, Director, Public Issues,
Canadian Cancer Society. "Now we know that smokers themselves
support the warnings as a way to reduce tobacco use."

The survey builds on a study released by the Canadian Cancer Society
in January 2002 showing that 43 per cent of smokers were more
concerned about the health effects of smoking because of the new
warnings. Forty-four per cent of smokers in the study also said the
new warnings increased their motivation to quit smoking,

"Canada's success with health warnings on cigarette packages is
being watched by the world," say Kyle. "These results will be very
useful for other countries looking to copy our example."

Brazil has already implemented a warning system similar to Canada,
and there are calls to do the same in the U.S., Australia and South
Africa. In the meantime, the World Health Organization is developing
the world's first global treaty devoted entirely to controlling the
use of tobacco. Canadian-style picture-based warnings might become a
worldwide requirement through the treaty, which is expected to be
signed in 2003.

Tobacco control is one of the Canadian Cancer Society's top
priorities and eliminating tobacco use is one of the most effective
ways to reduce the number of Canadians who will be diagnosed with,
and die from, cancer. Of the more than 65,000 Canadians who died of
cancer last year, an estimated 21,000 of those deaths were caused by
tobacco use.

The Canadian Cancer Society is a national, community-based
organization of volunteers, whose mission is the eradication of
cancer and the enhancement of the quality of life of people living
with cancer. When you want to know more about cancer, call our
Cancer Information Service - Canada's only toll-free, bilingual
source of personalized cancer information - at 1-888-939-3333.

Notes:

The survey is available on the Canadian Cancer Society's website:

www.cancer.ca/english/MC_MR_R_ccse.asp

Photos of new and old warnings on cigarette packages can be
downloaded from:

www.ontario.cancer.ca/siteboth/english/cigarette_package_warnings.asp

The January 2002 study - Evaluation of New Warnings on Cigarette
Packages - is also available at:

www.ontario.cancer.ca/siteboth/english/cigarette_package_warnings.asp

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For further information: please contact: Ken Kyle, Director, Public
Issues, Canadian Cancer Society, (613) 565-2522 ext. 301 (until 5
p.m.), (613) 837-2508 (after 5:30 p.m.); Elisabeth Ostiguy, Campaign
Coordinator, Canadian Cancer Society, (613) 565-2522 ext. 303 (until
5 p.m.) (For interviews in French)