Pubdate: Thu, 15 Mar 2007
Source: Voice, The (CN BC Edu)
Copyright: 2007 Langara College
Contact:  http://www.langara.bc.ca/voice/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3592
Author: Valerie Schillaci
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth)

POT MORE POPULAR THAN CIGS

On April 20 every year in front of the art gallery the grass is 
covered with people of all ages celebrating the fourth month and 20th 
day--national pot smoking day. For Vancouverites 4:20 p.m. means time 
to smoke up.

A recent survey done by Vancouver Coastal Health revealed youth smoke 
more marijuana than cigarettes. To me it's no surprise. Youth smoke 
marijuana because it's cheaper, and it's accepted in Vancouver. Plus, 
without health warnings people don't take risks seriously. I know I don't.

The image of smoking cigarettes at one time was cool, but because of 
major health warnings there are fewer users. One way to make youth 
more aware of the dangers of smoking cannabis is for the government 
to regulate it.

On the cover of every cigarette pack Canadian's are reminded smoking kills you.

At one time there were written warnings. In December 2000 fullcolour 
labelled images were put onto packs and images like diseased lungs 
and a mouthful of teeth with blackened blackened gums warned smokers.

The population of youth smokers has decreased from 28 per cent in 
1999 to 25 per cent in 2001, according to a Canadian Tobacco Use 
Monitoring Survey, suggesting graphic images were immediately 
effective. Youth know the health risks of smoking cigarettes from an 
early age, but don't know the risks of smoking marijuana.

"With the exception of daily cannabis use, the young people we spoke 
to (those surveyed) were very much of the view that there wasn't a 
great deal of risk associated with this drug," said Dr. Cameron Duff, 
manager research and youth addiction services at Vancouver Coastal Health.

Some people may say youth are visited by drug counsellors who 
convince them smoking cannabis is unhealthy, but they are wrong. A 
measly statement saying "marijuana is the gateway drug" doesn't 
outweigh the nasty graphics attached to anything slightly related to 
cigarettes.

Economically, youth smoke cannabis rather than cigarettes because 
it's cheaper. A pack of cigarettes can cost anywhere from $6 to $10 
and in order to buy them you have to be at least 19 years old. Unlike 
cigarettes, there is no age restraint for cannabis users-- anyone can buy it.

Marijuana is considered illegal, yet in Vancouver it seems more 
acceptable than cigarettes. When walking past the court house on Howe 
Street I often smell a skunk aroma coming from the steps. the source 
is often a man dressed in a suit, puffing on a joint. Or in the 
backseat of a friends car I'll hear her say, "You can smoke pot, but 
no cigarettes."
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman