SHOCKING NEW ANTI-SMOKING COMMERCIAL TO AIR TONIGHT

A graphic new commercial designed to encourage Queenslanders not to smoke will air for the first time on television tonight (Sunday, Nov 12).

Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Health, Karen Struthers MP, joined the Queensland Cancer Fund today to launch the ad which depicts a female smoker, disfigured with mouth and throat cancer.

Because of the graphic nature of the commercial, it will only air after 9.30pm.

The Beattie Government and Queensland Cancer Fund is jointly funding the $440,000 health warning and supporting Quitline ads during the next two months.

“This new mouth cancer commercial is the most graphic anti-smoking ad yet and gives a human face to the devastating consequences of smoking,” Ms Struthers said.

“Despite the limited hours of broadcast, I believe it will have a strong impact and motivate thousands of smokers to quit permanently or not take up the habit at all.

“The State Government makes no apologies for employing ‘shock’ tactics or for having the toughest anti-smoking laws in Australia.

“The health consequences of smoking are too serious to tread lightly.

“Smoking kills 3,400 Queenslanders every year and thousands more live with cancers and other diseases and conditions caused by smoking.”

Ms Struthers said the new ad was the second in a series of graphic health warnings about smoking which was led by ‘Amputation’, a dramatisation about the risk of peripheral vascular disease.

“The ‘Amputation’ ad was not restricted to late night television and had a significant impact on Queensland smokers.

“It more than doubled the number of calls to the Queensland Health-funded Quitline in May (4,489 calls) and more than tripled the number of calls in June (6,152) this year.”

“Even with its limited hours, I expect this new ad to have the same, if not greater, impact on smokers.

Associate Professor Suzanne Steginga of the Queensland Cancer Fund said it was important Queenslanders are aware of the risks of contracting mouth and throat cancer from smoking:

"There are 4000 chemicals found in tobacco smoke, so it's no surprise that smoking is responsible for 52 per cent of mouth and throat cancers in men and 42 per cent in women.

"Nearly a quarter of cancer deaths in Queensland are due to smoking, yet research indicates smokers are still unaware of the many health risks of smoking.

"Stopping smoking halves the risk of mouth and throat cancers within five years and the risk continues to decline over time.

“After 10 years the risk of mouth cancer is similar to someone who has never smoked.

"Think about this every time you look at a pack of cigarettes and use the number on it - call the Quitline on 13 QUIT (13 7848)," Dr Steginga said.

MEDIA:

Health Minister’s Office: Paul Lynch 0417 728 676

Queensland Cancer Fund: Ruth Miles 0417 709 869