Promoting a smoke-free
environment for children

In the first global initiative of its kind, the International Union Against Cancer (UICC) and cancer-fighting organizations are leading a year-long effort to promote smoke-free environments for children. "I love my smoke-free childhood" launched World Cancer Day on February 4, 2008 with these messages for parents:

• Avoid smoking at home or in a car
• Caution children to stay away from second-hand smoke and keep children away from places that allow smoking
• Teach children there is no safe level of second-hand smoke
• Do not smoke while pregnant or in the vicinity of someone who is pregnant
• Use a smoke-free childcare centre
• If you are a smoker, ask your doctor what you can do to stop
• Become a role model for your child - do not smoke

Today's children, tomorrow's world

"I love my smoke-free childhood" is the first full-year initiative in "Today's children, tomorrow's world", a five-year global focus on children in International Union Against Cancer's (UICC) World Cancer Campaign, launched on World Cancer Day 2007.

The campaign presents simple steps parents can share with children to prevent cancer later in life: eating a balanced diet, learning about vaccines for virus-related liver and cervical cancers and avoiding over-exposure to the sun.

"Forty percent of cancers are preventable through healthy habits. The first step toward prevention is education, starting with parents and children. Every success story means fewer lives lost," says Isabel Mortara, UICC executive director.

"Tobacco-related cancers lead the list of preventable deaths and hundreds of thousands of people who have never smoked die each year from diseases caused by second-hand smoke. That's why this initiative is so important."

Tobacco causes one in five of all cancer cases worldwide and one in three in high-income countries. Tobacco killed more than five million people in 2005. If current trends continue, by 2030 tobacco will kill as many as 8.3 million people each year.

In addition to targeting individuals, the World Cancer Campaign encourages decision-makers to put cancer on the public agenda. A growing number of countries have passed 100% smoke-free legislation, banning smoking in all enclosed public places without exception.

"Countries with 100% smoke-free laws should be commended for their legacy to healthier families. In these nations the percentage of children exposed to second-hand smoke has decreased over time," says Dr Franco Cavalli, UICC president. "While this trend is encouraging, this approach alone will not protect children from second-hand smoke. That's why educating parents is so crucial."

Source:  UICC  |  International Union Against Cancer 2008

www.uicc.org