DRAFT
BACKGRGLIND BRIEFING PAPER -_K
SriokinZ and Non-Adults
The manufacturers of tobacco products adhere to
the premise
that smoking is an adult custom. The decision
whether to.smoke
or not is best made by mature informed people. For
this reason
industry advertising and promotion of tobacco
products is
directed at achieving brand preference among the
adult
population, and the industry supports the aims of
the
authorities to prevent the sale of cigarettes to
non-adults.
If governments decide that campaigns of education
and
information on smoking and health are
desirable,.such campaigns
must be based on sound scientific grounds. A
balanced campaign
of this type should point out all known major risk
factors to
human health, and by this means make the public
aware,
particularly young people, that there are many
risk factors
which may affect their health. Undue emphasis on
the alleged
hazards of smoking would create the false
impression that the.-
single act of not smoking would prevent disease.
September, 1982 CD
Co
___.J
110
Co
Q.-J
Co
BATCo industries for Province of British ColuMbia
27 October 1999