Brussels, 29/03/2006 (Agence Europe) - On 29 March, European Commissioner for Health and Consumer Protection Markos Kyprianou, and several of his colleagues had their breath tested for carbon monoxide (CO), a carcinogen produced by tobacco smoke, to determine the level present in their bodies to launch the next phase of the EU anti-smoking campaign “HELP - For a life without tobacco”
Carbon monoxide is an extremely toxic gas linked to the combustion tobacco products. It is one of the most dangerous components of cigarette smoke. High levels of carbon monoxide in the body are associated with reduced cardiac efficiency, an increased risk of blood clots and disruption of the foetus in pregnant women. From March to November 2006, the HELP campaign will be on tour across Europe at more than 100 national events. During these events, citizens will be invited to have their breath tested in “HELP tents”, where they will receive advice on tobacco prevention, passive smoking and how to quit. More than 55,000 carbon monoxide tests will be carried out. The CO test will be done anonymously and results recorded by the team staffing each tent. The results will then be encoded to create a computer data base. These data will be used as the basis for a European study to be led by Professor Bertrand Dautzenberg, an internationally renowned lung specialist and tobaccologist in the Groupe Hospitalier Pitié Salpêtrière, Paris and coordinator of the European network of smoking-free hospitals.
Commissioner Kyprianou said, “I quit smoking over fifteen years ago, and luckily the carbon monoxide levels in my breath are back down to normal levels. But many young people are starting the habit every day, and this campaign is designed to raise awareness of the health risks linked to the carbon monoxide in cigarette smoke. Health-care costs caused by smoking top 100 billion euro per year in Europe and smoking has become the main preventable killer of our time. The HELP campaign has been very successful so far in getting the message across that smokers can get help to quit, and warning young people of the risks of passive smoking and addiction. With this carbon monoxide campaign, the “HELP” campaign is stepping up a gear to promote a life without tobacco”.
Following a successful third round of TV adverts, on over 80 television channels in January 2006, focusing on 'New Year resolutions”, a fourth will be on TV screens across Europe in September. Furthermore, in June, a special TV campaign will be launched in partnership with MTV. The web visibility of the “HELP campaign” is to be stepped up, through adding banners on websites popular with young people. On the HELP website, a series of interactive games, e-cards and TV spots will accompany more serious information on the dangers of smoking. Other activities will include a “European Youth manifesto”, to be finalised in May, based on consultations with young people in the 25 Member States, the presentation of the HELP campaign to the European Parliament and a road-show with more than 100 national events across the 25 Member States. (For further information: http: //http://www.help-eu.com )