React Responsibly Rizla - And Put Cannabis Health Warnings On Your Products, UK

Main Category: Alcohol / Addiction / Illegal Drugs
Also Included In: Smoking / Quit Smoking
Article Date: 05 Feb 2008 - 1:00 PDT

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As the government debates the classification of cannabis, mental health charity Rethink has today issued a stark warning to rolling paper manufacturer Rizla: accept that some of your products are used for smoking cannabis and take responsibility for warning people of the mental health risks by printing cannabis health warnings on the packaging.

The demand comes on the back of startling new research by the charity highlighting the general public's continued ignorance of the mental health effects of smoking cannabis. Rethink's report, Educating Reefer, shows:

- Nearly half of people (46%) think that cannabis is better for you than alcohol
- 1 in 4 think that cannabis is better for you than coffee
- Classification makes no difference to how much people use cannabis 1
- More people think king-size Rizla papers are used for cannabis than for tobacco 2

Jane Harris, Rethink's head of campaigns, said that it was time for rolling paper manufacturers - and the government - to start taking their responsibilities seriously.

"Rizla are being irresponsible by not including mental health warnings on their products when we know that they're used for cannabis. Health warnings work: 12% of people quit smoking as a result of warnings on cigarette packets.

"At the same time the government should stop wasting time and money debating classification and put its resources into a public education campaign on the mental health risks of cannabis use. In particular this should be targeted at young people, as they are most vulnerable to psychosis after cannabis use. Our research shows that young people want this information - we think they should receive it as a right."

Rethink will today give oral and written evidence to the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs, which is reviewing the classification of cannabis.

Meanwhile, Rethink supporters across the country have been sending letters and emails to Imperial Tobacco Limited calling for health warnings to be put on king-size Rizla packaging.

1. To view the report Educating Reefer go to http://www.rethink.org/educatingreefer

2. Rethink carried out a survey. In response to the question: "In your experience which, if any, of the following do people use king size rolling papers for (eg Rizla)?", 50% said cannabis and 49% said tobacco.

In the 25-34 age range this rose to 65% saying cannabis and 46% saying tobacco. To see the full findings go to http://www.rethink.org/educatingreefer

(These figures are from YouGov Plc. Total sample size was 1,994 adults. Fieldwork was undertaken between 30th November - 3rd December 2007. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all GB adults (aged 18+).)

3. Rethink wrote to Imperial Tobacco Limited asking for health warnings to be included on the packaging of Rizla king-size. In its response, Imperial Tobacco Limited said:

"We are aware that rolling papers and loose tobacco may be utilised in connection with cannabis use. We do not condone such activities, nor endorse the use of any of our products for such purposes…..Imperial Tobacco complies with all government regulations concerning the content, size and format of health warnings that are required to be printed on packs, advertisements or elsewhere."

About Rethink

Rethink, the leading national mental health membership charity, works to help everyone affected by severe mental illness recover a better quality of life. We aim to provide hope and empowerment through effective services and support to all those who need us and campaign for change through greater awareness and understanding.

For further information on the charity and its work, visit: http://www.rethink.org or call 0845 456 0455.

The Mental Health Shop was created by two leading mental health charities, Rethink and Mental Health Media, and features an array of books, leaflets, DVD's and videos on a range of mental health topics including recovery, treatment and discrimination. This unprecedented collaboration now allows for a 'one stop shop' combining a range of mental health publications and products.Visit http://www.mentalhealthshop.org

http://www.rethink.org

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