As a former smoker himself, European Health Commissioner John Dalli knows the difficulties faced when trying to quit the addictive habit.
“I stopped smoking on January 1, 1988 and it is the only New Year’s resolution I ever kept,” he told 10-year old students from St Ignatius Primary School, Żebbuġ as part of an EU anti-smoking campaign.
Mr Dalli addressed the children at the Infetti Gardens playground to highlight the fact that, as from last February, Maltese playgrounds have become smoke free.
People caught smoking are liable to a fine not below €232.90.
He lauded Malta as being on the forefront of the anti-smoking battle. “Malta is one of the few countries that prohibit smoking in open areas officially designated for children,” he said.
“As a commissioner, I am responsible for the health of EU citizens,” he told the children, “and I am working on introducing stronger legislation against smoking because we don’t want our youngsters enslaved by the cigarette vice.”
Tobacco is the single largest cause of avoidable death in the EU, accounting for about 650,000 premature deaths every year. A further 13 million in the EU suffer from diseases caused by smoking. Even those who do not smoke are affected by smoking and tobacco. Second-hand smoke causes 79,000 deaths a year in the EU.
Mr Dalli expressed concern about flavoured cigarettes, which came in compact attractive packaging aimed at luring women smokers. This was worrying because “the overall rate of all smokers is decreasing in the EU while the rate of women smokers is rising”.
On his decision to quit smoking, Mr Dalli said he saw individuals close to him die because of smoking. “Back then I had just taken up the role of the Industry Parliamentary Secretary and when you are in a position of stress and responsibility you feel you have to do something to feel healthier,” he said.
“It’s all about loss of control over yourself really. You need to have sheer determination.”
As part of the anti-smoking campaign, the office of the Health Commissioner launched iCoach, an interactive website across all EU member states offering support with practical tips and advice through the stages of smoking cessation. A total of 1,500 Maltese smokers have registered online.
During the event, organised on the initiative of the Żebbuġ local council, Health Promotion Director Charmaine Gauci urged children to encourage their smoking mothers, fathers or relatives to call the anti-smoking quit line.
Anyone who wishes to stop smoking can call on freephone 8007 3333, contact the quit line on 2326 6116 or go to www.stopsmokingcoach.eu, or http://exsmokers.eu .