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Most kids are victims of second-hand smoke: poll

As many as 90 percent of children surveyed by the Formosa Cancer Foundation identified themselves as victims of second-hand tobacco smoke, with the majority exposed to the hazard at home.

The results of the survey were released yesterday to coincide with "World No Tobacco Day," whose theme this year is tobacco-free youth.

The survey showed that while more than 90 percent of respondents wish to live in a smoke-free environment, 70 percent have family members who smoke at home and another 60 percent have been forced to breathe second-hand smoke exhaled by a guest.

Half of respondents did not know how to avoid second-hand smoke, mainly because they feared they could get scolded by their parents or other family members.

The online survey was conducted between Jan. 15 and Jan. 28 with 1,825 children.

To help children reduce their exposure to second-hand smoke, the foundation has designed a set of "no smoking" stickers to be placed in living rooms, cars, schools and bathrooms.

In related news, the John Tung Foundation, the nation's biggest anti-smoking non-profit organization, has called upon bureaus of health nationwide to fine convenience stores for not excluding cigarettes from giveaway promotions.

After collecting a certain number of purchase coupons at convenience stores -- including cigarettes -- customers can redeem them for collectible giveaway figurines. The foundation argues that such giveaways could encourage smoking, especially among younger people, who are most likely to be attracted to the figurines.

"Although the Tobacco Hazards Prevention Act [菸害防制法] bans promotions and giveaways involving tobacco products, there is a clause that exempts promotional items valued at below a quarter of the price of the tobacco product," Bureau of Health Promotion deputy director-general Chao Kun-yu (趙坤郁) said.

However, the legislature has removed the clause in the revised version of the Tobacco Hazards Prevention Act, which will come into force on Jan. 11 next year.

"Until then, we can only appeal to the morality of businesses to exclude cigarettes from their promotional campaigns," Chao said.

ADDITIONAL REPORTING BY ANGELICA OUNG
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