Tobacco Free Australia

The need for action on tobacco

The continuing need for action on tobacco is highlighted by Simon Chapman, "...on the most optimistic scenarios, tobacco use will be still be a major public health problem for the next 15-20 years. Because of the latency period between smoking and the onset of disease, even tens of thousands of smokers in 15 years will be producing significant disease burden in Australian society in 30-40 years' time. The idea that we can now relax is entirely misconceived."

Previously confidential documents from tobacco companies that operate in Australia show the determination of the companies to continue doing all they can to increase or maintain sales and to oppose any action that might be effective in reducing smoking.

ACOSH, along with other public health groups, is working towards making smoking history.  This demands vigilance over the tobacco industry and its allies, intensified tobacco control efforts, quick responses to unfolding events and skill in keeping tobacco issues alive in the minds of individuals and the community.  

ACOSH continues to play a vital role in tobacco control. Examples of recent ACOSH contributions to effective tobacco control advocacy include:

• The introduction of the Tobacco Products Control Act 2006, which includes a licensing system for tobacco retailers and wholesalers, as well as stronger regulations governing in-store promotion of tobacco products with the vast majority of retailers having their in-store display of tobacco products reduced to a maximum of 1 Square Metre.
  
• The West Australian health system was declared 100% smoke-free from January 1, 2008.  ACOSH has been and remains a key player in the planning and implementation of this action by the Department of Health WA.
• Mental Health Services, Department of Health WA were also declared 100% smoke-free from January 1, 2008. ACOSH was a key player in planning and implementing smoke-free mental health facilities.
• Corrections facilities are moving to smoke-free policies. All enclosed areas of Greenough Prison became smoke-free from mid 2008; ACOSH was the key driver in this decision by the Minister for Corrective Services. Greenough is seen as a pilot for all Department of Corrections facilities becoming smoke-free.
• Both nationally and locally, ACOSH has taken a leading role in ensuring a special focus on tobacco control in the Indigenous community. initiated by the Close the Gap campaign and similar local activities. The Prime Minister has spoken strongly about Aboriginal tobacco control and has committed funding to be implemented over the next three years. ACOSH is heavily involved in this work.
• The introduction and passage of the Tobacco Products Control Amendment Bill (2008) in the WA Parliament. The Bill includes laws that will:
  • prohibit smoking in cars carrying children
  • place all tobacco products out of sight at point-of-sale in retail premises
  • make al fresco dining areas smoke-free
  • make patrolled beaches and children's playgrounds smoke-free.
    (NB This Bill is to be implemented as from late 2010. ACOSH is very actively involved in ensuring effective implementation, monitoring and follow-up)
• ACOSH has also been heavily involved in a range of activities and coalitions at the national level that will affect the progress of tobacco control in WA.

The National Preventative Health Taskforce report released on September 1, 2009 noted "Trends in recent years have been encouraging, but there is no room for complacency while the death toll from tobacco continues, thousands of young people each year start smoking, non-smokers are exposed to second-hand smoke, disadvantaged groups are disproportionately affected the overall cost of smoking to the economy is more than $30 billion each year, and tobacco companies maintain efforts to promote sales of their lethal product."