Cancer survivors get behind smoke-free legislation

April 7, 2009

Cancer survivors will today present a petition to Parliament in support of the Bill which proposes to end the display of tobacco products and ban smoking in cars carrying kids.

Cancer survivors Mary Thornton and George Oakley are among almost 1,000 people who have signed the petition, with most of the signatures collected in one day at the Cancer Council Western Australia’s recent Relay for Life event.

The petition will be handed to Dr Janet Woollard, who introduced the legislation as a Private Members Bill, and other members of the Education and Health Standing Committee, which undertook the recent inquiry into the Bill.

“The fact that we can get close to 1,000 people to sign this petition in a day at a single event shows there is very strong public support for the measures in this legislation,” said Susan Stewart, acting Director Tobacco Programs at the Cancer Council Western Australia.

“Support for this petition reinforces surveys by the Cancer Council and other health agencies which show the public really want these changes,” she said.

“In light of the strong support in the community, we urge all MPs to vote in favour of this important legislation.”

If passed the Bill, which is currently before the Legislative Assembly, will also see smoking banned in outdoor eating and drinking areas, children’s playgrounds and the patrolled areas of public beaches.

The petition, which calls on the Legislative Assembly to give support to and vote in favour of the Tobacco Products Control Amendment Bill 2008, will be tabled in Parliament on Tuesday afternoon.

“The Cancer Council believes that no single action taken by West Australian politicians could do more to improve health, reduce disease and prevent death than reducing smoking in our community,” Ms Stewart said.

“If passed, the Tobacco Products Control Amendment Bill 2008 will go a long way towards further reducing tobacco-caused harms in our community.”