05 August 2013
Islanders are being asked for their views on extending smoke-free places to protect children, either from passive smoking or from becoming smokers themselves. The survey will focus on smoking in cars carrying children, in family homes and in outside spaces where children play.
It is part of a public consultation launched today by Jersey’s Medical Officer of Health, Dr Susan Turnbull, to find out what people think about smoking in places where children are present.
Islanders are being encouraged to respond by completing the online survey. The consultation begins today (5 August 2013) and closes on 31 October 2013.
Cause of premature death
Smoking is responsible for much of the premature death and ill health in Jersey, mainly from cancers and heart disease. Yet, many children are exposed to parental second-hand smoke at home and in cars which can have damaging effects on their health. Children who grow up in smoking environments are more likely to become smokers themselves.
Key aims of the current States of Jersey Tobacco Control Strategy (to 2015) include protecting families and communities from tobacco-related harm.
Dr Turnbull said “Many countries, including England, Wales, Ireland, Scotland and France are taking steps to protect children from the harmful effects of smoking.
“This consultation presents a great opportunity to gauge if the people of Jersey have an appetite to do more to protect Islanders from smoking-related harm, especially our children. The recent ‘Cancer in Jersey’ report cements the strong evidence that our current excess of certain cancers in Jersey is largely due to preventable risk factors: smoking is the main culprit, still causing much avoidable illness and early deaths.
“Armed with this knowledge, adults can – and do – make informed choices about reducing their odds of dying young from smoking-related conditions such as cancer and heart disease. Children are less likely to have either this knowledge or the power to make choices about being exposed to smoke by adults. We could, and perhaps should, be doing more to protect our children from the harmful effects of smoke now, as well as helping to reduce the number who will become smokers themselves in the future.
“I will be encouraging all Islanders, whether they are smokers or non-smokers, to tell us what they think about pushing the boundaries of smoke-free places further to protect children, and how that might best be achieved. Throughout the summer months, we will be reaching out to all Islanders through local events, focus groups, the internet and through local services. Their views will help us to shape future action on these important issues.”
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