CAMH applauds the move to protect children from second-hand smoke

March 5, 2008 (TORONTO) – The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) applauds the provincial government's decision to introduce legislation banning smoking in private vehicles carrying children, to ensure that they are protected from the harms of second-hand smoke.

“We congratulate the Premier on his strong commitment to the protection of Ontario citizens against tobacco-related harms,” said Paul Garfinkel, President and CEO, CAMH. “In addition to all the strides made by the Smoke Free Ontario Act, Bill 11 will take further steps in protecting those who cannot speak for themselves.”

Recent research shows that this legislation will be supported by a majority of Ontarians. According to the Ontario Tobacco Research Unit (OTRU), public support in Ontario for banning smoking in motor vehicles carrying children increased by ten percent from 68% in 2002 to 78% in 2005. The study also reveals that infants and children are more severely affected by exposure to second-hand smoke than adults because they are smaller and have higher respiration rates.

CAMH has a broad mandate for preventing and reducing the harm associated with addictions of all kinds. Our services provide care to people who are addicted to tobacco, and our policy and prevention initiatives are premised on the recognition that tobacco remains the most prevalent and harmful addiction in Ontario, across Canada, and the world. In addition to the obvious impact of smoking on people, it is also the most costly form of addiction to the Ontario economy.

To arrange interviews please contact Michael Torres, Media Relations, CAMH at (416) 595-6015.

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The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) is Canada's largest mental health and addictions teaching hospital, as well as one of the world's leading research centres in the area of addictions and mental health. CAMH combines clinical care, research, education, policy development, prevention and health promotion to transform the lives of people affected by mental health and addiction issues.

CAMH is fully affiliated with the University of Toronto, and is a Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization Collaborating Centre.

The Ontario Tobacco Research Unit (OTRU) is an Ontario-based research network that is recognized as a Canadian leader in tobacco control research, monitoring and evaluation, teaching and training and as a respected source of science-based information on tobacco control. OTRU is co-sponsored by CAMH.