The Anti Poverty Forum, which is based in Victoria, Gozo, together with ten other NGOs has welcomed the government’s proposal to discuss the ban on the sale of cigarettes to a particular age-group of young people.

The NGOs also reiterated their concerns about cannabis – another legal substance, “which is also harmful and is increasingly accessible to children and younger persons.”

In a statement, the NGOs highlighted the fact that in view of the “proven negative health impacts of smoking, any initiative to limit smoking, and furthermore limit its uptake by new youngsters is a courageous step.”

They said that the “effort to improve the health of our younger generations is a breath of fresh air, particularly in the context of a society where the economic advancement of the few is often given precedence over the common good.”

They also noted an increase in the use of e-cigarettes among our younger generations. “Vapes are being sold to minors from a number of establishments, including stationery shops.”

The NGOs pointed out that these electronic cigarettes come in highlight colours to attract attention. “Although more studies are coming out, research clearly shows that vapes are harmful to health, contradicting the false impression of many,” they said.

In this light, the NGOs said that they are also joining with the Medical Association of Malta to “reiterate our concerns about cannabis – another legal substance, which is also harmful and is increasingly accessible to children and younger persons.”

“Following the introduction of the cannabis legislation in 2021, we are observing an increasing number of children who are making use of cannabis, even openly near schools,” the NGOs said.

These children maintain that they see no harm in using cannabis once it has been legalised, although research is continuously exposing new facts on harms originating from cannabis use.

“We are also concerned that while there may be some entities that approve of the initiative to ban smoking for our younger generations, there has been hardly any disapproval of the law which is meant to promote the responsible use of cannabis, and this on the basis of human rights,” the NGOs said.

They stressed that “one particular flaw is that the same cannabis law does not offer any protection to minors whose guardians decide to smoke or cultivate at home.”

“Hence, we propose a ban on the smoking and planting of cannabis in homes is enacted.

“We also propose a ban on the sale of e-cigarettes from all supermarkets and stationaries,” the NGOs added.

They concluded by underlining the positive initiative to ban cigarettes for young people, “we call on the general public, and especially parents, to support any kind of initiative that strengthens the physical, psychological and mental health of our children, in particular initiatives and activities that steer our younger generations away from any substance abuse and addictions.”

The statement has been endorsed by:

Anti-Poverty Forum

OASI Foundation

Alleanza Kontra il-Faqar

Catholic Schools Association

The Secretariat for Catholic Education

YMCA – Malta

SOS – Malta

National Association of Pensioners

Soup Kitchen OFM Valletta

Saint Jeanne Antide Foundation

Paolo Freire Institute.

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