09/02/2008 00:00:00
UK: Call for papers cannabis warning
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Cigarette rolling papers should carry printed warnings about the dangers
of cannabis, according to a mental health charity.
The charity Rethink says there is growing evidence that the health risks
associated with cannabis use requires a similar approach to that taken
with tobacco.
Its comments, made in its report into cannabis use - Educating Reefer -
are directed at companies such as Imperial Tobacco, which manufactures
the UK's best-selling brand of cigarette papers, Rizla.
The report states that warnings to smokers on cigarette packets have had
a dramatic effect and that rolling papers are the most obvious place for
warnings targeting cannabis users.
It criticises Rizla for the sale of its king-sized papers, which the
charity says "it is generally accepted" are more suitable for cannabis
consumption than tobacco.
The report says: "Given this strong association, rolling paper
manufacturers should take responsibility for warning users of the
dangers of cannabis use.
"Rethink believes that following the impact of tobacco warnings on
cigarette packets, rolling paper packets should carry warnings about the
mental health effects of cannabis."
A spokesman for Imperial Tobacco said: "We manufacture and sell rolling
papers for the use of adult tobacco smokers.
"We recognise that rolling papers can be used in association with
cannabis but this is not their intended purpose and we do not endorse this."
http://ukpress.google.com/article/ALeqM5iTUNRTX3uiV4qfsANh2s5Ha-LknA
Source:
http://www.ukcia.org/news/shownewsarticle.php?articleid=13268
Author:
Press Association via UKCIA
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