Technical Paper 2:
Tobacco Control in Australia: making smoking history
Comprehensive strategies to reduce smoking
Table of contents
- Overview and summary of action proposed
- Summary of proposed measures
- 1 - Introduction: the big picture
2 - Progress in meeting National Tobacco Strategy objectives: trends and concerns- 3 - Progress in Australia on recommended policies and programs
- 4 - What next, what first and for what cost?
- Major sources used in this document
- References
Addendum for October 2008 to June 2009- Goals of tobacco control: To reduce the human, social and financial costs of smoking
- Objectives of tobacco control: To reduce use of tobacco products and exposure to the toxic elements of tobacco smoke
- Comprehensive strategies to reduce smoking
- Tobacco control strategies
- Promotion of Quit and Smoke-free messages
- Services and treatment
- Addressing disadvantage and tailoring services
- Supporting parents and education
- Keeping tobacco control on the agenda
- Cost effectiveness of tobacco control
- Research, evaluation, monitoring and surveillance
- References
- Attachment 1: Proposed amendment concerning plain packaging, UK Health Bill
- Attachment 2: Sample of Studies Pulished January to May 2009 suggested or concluding health effects other thn those already covered in current Consumer Product Information in Australia
Overseas developments
Britain’s oldest and most powerful medical college, the Royal College of Physicians, has issued a new report calling on the UK Government to set a target to eliminate smoking by 2025.[28] The college has campaigned against smoking since its landmark report in 1962 first demanded action to reduce prevalence. It says the tax on tobacco should be increased by 10% every year, and its sale restricted to licensed retailers in premises, such as off-licences, from which children should be banned. Penalties for smugglers should be increased to match those for class-A drugs such as heroin, and also imposed on those who sell cigarettes to children. The college says the approach ‘has the potential to end tobacco smoking in the United Kingdom within the next 20 years’.A major new report has been launched by Action on Smoking and Health[29] to mark the 10th anniversary of the UK Government’s first ever tobacco control white paper, Smoking Kills. The Beyond Smoking Kills report summarises the achievements made to date and sets out a policy agenda to further reduce smoking prevalence. It includes 44 recommendations and has been endorsed by over 100 UK health and welfare organisations. Beyond Smoking Kills includes new research, including:
- Revised estimate of the cost of smoking to the NHS
- Public opinion polling showing high levels of support for a wide range of tobacco control policies
- Impact of tobacco branding on young people and implications for plain packaging.