Contact: AAP Division of Public Relations, 847-981-7877
For Immediate Release
AAP CALLS FOR BAN ON ALL ADVERTISING OF TOBACCO PRODUCTS
CHICAGO--To protect children from the dangers of environmental tobacco smoke (ETS), the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) calls for stricter government regulation of tobacco advertising and recommends measures aimed at creating smoke-free environments for our children. The new policy appears in the April issue of Pediatrics, the journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics.
With nearly 48 million adults smoking cigarettes, many children are at risk of exposure to ETS, also known as second-hand smoke. ETS is associated with increased illnesses in children, including lower respiratory illness, ear infections, asthma and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). ETS from cigarettes, cigars and pipes is composed of more than 3,800 different chemical compounds.
To reduce this health hazard, the AAP calls on Congress and the Federal Trade Commission to ban all tobacco advertising in all media; sponsor counter advertisements about the dangers of tobacco; strengthen health warnings on cigarette labels; and increase the federal excise tax on tobacco products.
The AAPs policy statement entitled, Environmental Tobacco Smoke: A Hazard to Children, also advises pediatricians on a variety of ways to promote a smoke-free environment. Some of these recommendations include:
* encourage school boards to ban smoking in schools and on school property, including in teachers lounges;
* eliminate cigarette sales from vending machines; and
* develop state legislation aimed at prohibiting smoking in child care centers, family child care homes (where caregivers care for children who are not their own relatives), restaurants and other public places.
According to the policy, a recent national survey reveals that 43 percent of children 2 months to 11 years of age live in homes with at least one smoker.
EDITORS NOTE: Smoking is a serious health risk to our children. To respond to this child health epidemic, the American Academy of Pediatrics will focus on smoking prevention as the theme for Child Health Month this October. This effort will kick off a three-year campaign aimed at preventing tobacco, alcohol and drug use by children. Join with the Academy this October during Child Health Month and help us protect our children from these dangerous substances.
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The American Academy of Pediatrics is an organization of 53,000 pediatricians dedicated to the health, safety and well-being of infants, children, adolescents and young adults.
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