Embargo 00:01 Wed 2^nd June 1999

120,000 UK menimpotent due to smoking but most smokers unaware of the risk - ASH and BMA callfor impotence warnings on cigarette packs

Newdata released today show that, despite a well-documented link between smokingand penile erectile dysfunction (impotence), a substantial majority of smokersare unaware of the risk.   ASH and theBritish Medical Association are calling on the Government and EU to add thewarning “smoking causes male sexual impotence” to tobacco product packaging toaddress the problem. New calculations show that 120,000 UK men in their 30s and 40s are impotent due tosmoking. 

Released2^nd June:

·        A report by ASH and theBMA [1] surveying the scientific literature and explaining how smoking causesimpotence - seereport.

·        Polling conducted byMORI [2] for ASH showing that 88% of smokers fail to identify smoking as acause of impotence when asked without prompting. Even when prompted with a listof possible answers, 67% of smokers fail to identify the risk. See Mori polling report

·        A new estimate of120,000 UK men in the age range 30-49 are impotent due to smoking

·        Statements byurologists and other experts highlighting the problem

·        An ASH postcardcampaign launched in cinemas

·        A virtual postcard serveravailable from the ASH web site

CliveBates, Director of ASH said:

“We reckon there are lotsof men that would prefer to give up smoking rather than risk losing somethingas precious as their erection.   But itappears that most smokers are unaware of the risk, and that's why we think newwarnings are needed.”

“Impotence may not be asserious as cancer or heart disease, but it might be a more important andimmediate reason for men in their twenties to quit smoking.  It's also a reality check on all the style,sex and glamour that is supposed to be associated with smoking.  Despite the hype about cigarettes, the truthis sad, embarrassing and banal,” said Bates.

JadeSaunders of ASH, who worked on the report, said:

“The science is prettyclear - smoking gradually damages those delicate blood vessels in the penis onwhich a respectable erection depends. You might smoke as a teenager, but if youare still smoking at 30, you are definitely taking chances with your sex life.”

[1]ASH and BMA, Warning: smoking causes malesexual impotence,  2^ndJune 1999

[2]MORI Social Research, Smoking andImpotence - Public Awareness: a quantitative survey among the general public.  Research undertaken in March 1999.  A summary of the polling and results isavailable, see: Moripolling report

Contact

CliveBates, Jade Saunders ASH: 0171 224 0743 (w); 0181 800 1336 (h); 0468 791237 (m)

FionaSimpson, BMA: 0171 383 6123

MichelleCorrado, Kay Wright, MORI: 0171 928 5955 for enquiries regarding the polling