Celebrity Support: Cancer Campaigns

Entrepreneur Sir Richard Branson has shown his support for the Out of Sight, Out of Mind campaign by sending a letter to the Telegraph calling for measures to protect children from tobacco. 

'Sir,

'Parliament has already voted to protect children by putting tobacco out of sight in shops and removing cigarette machines. Unless the government takes the next step of rolling out regulations these changes will not happen.

'Allowing tobacco to continue to be displayed to children, along with the easy access via vending machine is unacceptable.

'Although tobacco advertising has already been banned on television, in print and on billboards, children are still routinely tempted to smoke by colourful tobacco displays in shops, newsagents and supermarkets.

'There is huge public support for tougher controls on tobacco. Around three quarters of people surveyed back the measures.

'Each day around 450 under 18 year olds start smoking across the UK. Half of all long term smokers will die from the addiction and smoking remains the single biggest preventable cause of death in the UK.

'I back Cancer Research UK’s call to put tobacco out of sight and urge the government to put the health of children before the profits of tobacco companies. This is one of the best ways to reduce the devastating impact that tobacco has on the lives of so many people.

'Yours,

'Sir Richard Branson'

TV presenter Konnie Huq is a supporter of  Out of Sight, Out of Mind. She sent the following letter to local newspapers across the UK to show her support for the campaign.

'Dear Editor

'I’d like to ask your readers to support Cancer Research UK’s new Out of Sight, Out of Mind campaign, which aims to make sure that children and young people have the right to be protected from the marketing and promotion of a product that kills - tobacco.

'I’m very concerned by the influence tobacco marketing has over young people and the relative ease with which they can still purchase cigarettes.

'Tobacco advertising has been banned on television, in print and on billboards. Yet children are still regularly exposed to attractive tobacco displays and appealing on-pack branding in shops, newsagents and supermarkets. Many young people, particularly underage smokers, buy cigarettes from vending machines.

'By closing the loophole which allows tobacco to be displayed at the point of sale, prohibiting the sale of cigarettes from vending machines and making plain packaging for tobacco products compulsory, Ministers can reduce the pull towards a potentially deadly addiction.

'Around 450 under-18s start smoking every single day across the UK. Half of all smokers will eventually die from cancer or other smoking related diseases. Please help Cancer Research UK put tobacco out of sight and out of mind by pledging your support today for this important campaign at www.cancercampaigns.org.uk

'Yours faithfully,

'Konnie Huq'