Health and Social Services Minister Jamie Ballem launched a new initiative today to improve public health by reducing the number of Islanders exposed to second-hand smoke in their vehicles.
Beginning today, static cling signs will be distributed to Islanders when they register a vehicle. The colorful sign sticks to the window of a vehicle and indicates that the vehicle is smoke-free. It is most effective when placed on the passenger side on either the front or side window.
Minister Ballem advised that the smoke-free vehicle signs were developed in response to the success of the smoke-free homes initiative which saw approximately 20,000 smoke-free home signs distributed to Island children last October. "Following this initiative, we had several calls from the public, taxi companies and car dealers asking that we develop a similar sign for vehicles."
"We are pleased to have been able to develop these signs and work once again with the PEI Tobacco Reduction Alliance to improve the health of Islanders and reduce the harmful effects of second-hand smoke," said the minister.
Vicki Francis, Executive Director of the Canadian Cancer Society and Alliance co-chair indicated that Islanders are increasingly aware of the harmful effects of second-hand smoke. "Many know that the more second-hand smoke you breathe, the greater your risk of lung cancer, heart attack or stroke."
Just like smokers, a non-smoker breathing second-hand smoke is exposed to roughly 3,700 different chemicals. Many of them can be poisonous; others are powerful cancer-causing substances.
For young children, the damage can be more severe advised Ms. Francis. "Their lungs are still developing and they breathe faster than adults, taking in and absorbing more harmful chemicals. That's why we see young children exposed to second-hand smoke suffering more often from asthma, sore throats, colds, ear infections, bronchitis and pneumonia than children not exposed to second-hand smoke."
Lisa Shaffer, Alliance co-chair, advised that she is encouraged by the numerous requests from the public for smoke-free vehicle signs. "If you want to protect your health and the health of your family and friends, it's important not to smoke inside a vehicle as a vehicle is one of the most air tight places you can find, giving smoke and the many dangerous chemicals it contains no where to escape. It's also important that others traveling with you don't smoke in your vehicle."
Smoke-free vehicle signs have been distributed to car dealers, local taxi companies and are available free of charge at all Access PEI sites or by calling the Department of Heath and Social Services at 368-6133.