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."