Three in five smokers cling to 'self-exempting beliefs' that smoking-related diseases are caused by air pollution or genetics Most Australian smokers are in denial about their habit.
SYDNEY (The Australian), December 29, 2007:
A survey by the Cancer Council Victoria reveals that 60 per cent of smokers cling to "self-exempting beliefs" that smoking-related diseases such as heart and lung cancer are caused by air pollution or genetics.
Quit Victoria executive director Fiona Sharkie said: "We asked smokers to list what diseases were commonly linked to smoking, and a high proportion didn't voluntarily nominate heart and lung cancer."
The survey found 43 per cent of people aged 50 or over thought exercise could undo the harm of smoking, and one in five smokers believed the habit was not that dangerous because many smokers had lived long lives.
Ms Sharkie said that the organisation's aim was "to break the myths, which get constructed through word ofmouth".
Smokers at Sydney's Darling Harbour yesterday insisted they were aware of the dangers of their habit, and the only "delusion" they held was that they would quit.
Emma Ripley, 20, from Queensland's Gold Coast said: "As a smoker, I do know it's harmful to me, but because it's an addiction ... you put it in the back of your head. You tell yourself over and over it's the last one."
English traveller Katy Bramwell, 23, said she didn't want to be a smoker for the rest of her life.
"But it's a social thing ... you're drinking and you're having a good time and you pull out your smokes," Ms Bramwell said.
Of the survey respondents who had quit, 46 per cent cited Quit's graphic television advertisements as having influenced their decision.
Smokers who choose to quit this holiday season as a new year's resolution are encouraged by the Australian Medical Association to wait until at least mid-January to give up cigarettes, when social activity has died down.
"You never (try to quit) as a new year's thing because you know you're kidding yourself," Ms Ripley said.
By Tamara Davis
Copyright 2007 News Limited.
