Australia: the healthiest country by 2020
National Preventative Health Strategy – the roadmap for action

Key action areas

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Table of contents

Experience in Australia and overseas shows that a continuing decline in smoking will require a comprehensive approach, implemented with concerted and sustained effort.[27-30] This includes measures to reduce the affordability of tobacco products and to eliminate all forms of marketing of tobacco products, together with clear information for consumers, vigorous education campaigns and easily accessible support and effective and affordable assistance to smokers to quit.[31, 32] The more comprehensive the approach, the more likely it is that prevalence will decline among all social groups.[33, 34] Significantly reducing the social inequalities associated with tobacco use warrants additional attention for disadvantaged groups.[35] It is also likely that efforts to reduce social disadvantage – such as improving access to pre-school education[36] and improving the quality of teaching and school connectedness in disadvantaged areas[37] – can play a valuable role in reducing high-risk behaviours such as smoking.

To accelerate declines in smoking in Australia it is essential that we step up efforts in:

  • Taxation policy
  • Public education
  • Legislation
  • Health system interventions, particularly those aimed at high-need and high-risk groups.
Tobacco control achievements in Australia have been substantial, and efforts will continue as described in state and national[38] tobacco control strategies.4 To achieve the targets set, however, action is required in the following 11 areas:

Key action area 1: Make tobacco products significantly more expensive
Key action area 2: Increase the frequency, reach and intensity of social marketing campaigns
Key action area 3: End all remaining forms of advertising and promotion of tobacco products
Key action area 4: Eliminate exposure to second-hand smoke in public places
Key action area 5: Regulate manufacturing and further regulate packaging and supply of tobacco products
Key action area 6: Ensure all smokers in contact with health services are encouraged and supported to quit, with particular
efforts to reach pregnant women and those with chronic health problems
Key action area 7: Work in partnership with Indigenous groups to boost efforts to reduce smoking and exposure to passive smoking among Indigenous Australians
Key action area 8: Boost efforts to discourage smoking among people in other highly disadvantaged groups
Key action area 9: Assist parents and educators to discourage tobacco use and protect young people from second-hand smoke
Key action area 10: Ensure that the public, media, politicians and other opinion leaders remain aware of the need for sustained and vigorous action to discourage tobacco use
Key action area 11: Ensure Implementation and measure progress against and towards targets

The case for action in each of the 11 key action areas is set out below, followed by actions measuring progress towards meeting the overall target.

4It is hoped that this Strategy will also provide the basis for strategies adopted by the Ministerial Council on Drug Strategy.


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