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“
Health
groups are shocked that QANTAS has reverted to the “bad old days”
by ordering crews to promote duty-free cigarettes by stacking them
onto trolley carts and wheeling them at eye-height past passengers
including children. Says
Anne Jones, CEO of ASH Australia: “At a time when Australian
governments are moving to put tobacco displays out of sight to protect
young people in particular, QANTAS has gone backwards. “We’ve
received several complaints from QANTAS staff who are concerned not
only about the increased risks of smoking in toilets, but that they
have to push tobacco as part of their job.” QANTAS
has defended its move in a letter to ASH by claiming that they are not
promoting cigarettes, only selling them; and that this action “is
not inconsistent with… the highest legal, moral and ethical
standards.” Says
Anne Jones:
“As QANTAS is promoting itself as a sponsor of World Youth
Day and a charity that aims to reduce cancer in children, we’re
urging passengers to let QANTAS know that it’s not appropriate for
an airline to sell cigarettes to passengers – or promote them to
children. “Retail
tobacco display is a powerful form of advertising, especially in
association with a highly respected brand name like QANTAS – and
research shows it normalises and encourages young people to smoke.* “Young
people from all over the world are now flying into Australia to take
part in World Youth Day, to be greeted by in-your-face tobacco
promotion by a major sponsor of the event. “To
add to the bad impression, the first thing international passengers
arriving at Sydney airport see are walls of duty-free cigarettes** –
some with pictures of kangaroos and koalas.” ASH
has urged international travellers including doctors, health
professionals and parents to ask QANTAS to make their flights
tobacco-free in line with our international treaty obligations. Health
groups say it’s long overdue for the Federal Government to end the
duty-free cigarette loophole and stop subsidising cheap cigarettes for
travellers. * See “Protecting Children from Tobacco”
campaign endorsed by 40 organisations at
www.ashaust.org.au/lv3/action_POS.htm
Comment: Anne Jones, CEO, ASH Australia ph. (02) 9334-1876; m. 0417-227-879 Media
info: Stafford
Sanders, ASH Australia
ph. (02) 9334-1823; m.
0412-070-194
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Page last updated 16/7/08 |
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