ASH Australia: 
Taking action		  
 
Smoking is Australia’s single largest preventable cause of sickness and premature death in Australia, killing over 15,000 a year and costing the nation more than $31 billion in health and social expenses. 

We can make a difference. Both Australian and worldwide evidence shows that well-funded, comprehensive tobacco control legislation and programs can cut tobacco use and save lives.

Take action on our  current campaigns 

This link will help you  become an ASH supporter 

You can also help us by  supporting us financially  - or with your time and effort…..  

Help us monitor tobacco industry advertising and promotion
Use this  checklist  to identify and monitor tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship (TAPS) in your area. Download or cut & paste.

 

Write to an MP or the media

As a voter, one of the most effective things you can do is to write to elected Federal, state or local politicians, or to the public via Letters to an Editor – urging support for:

  • improved funding - for tobacco control strategies, public education, or a comprehensive, evidence based tobacco dependence treatment program;
  • tougher regulations on the manufacture and supply of tobacco products; and
  • legislation to end deceptive and misleading tobacco marketing practices, or to reduce involuntary exposure to toxic tobacco by-products (see the SmokeFree Australia campaign link).

Once you've written your letter, you'll need the name and address of the relevant politician or media - so that you can post, fax or email your letter.

To help you get an effective letter into the right hands, we've provided:


Political donations from tobacco interests

Tobacco companies and other tobacco-friendly interests all give large political donations to the major parties.  Take action here  to reform electoral funding
See roundup of NSW political donations on the NSW Greens website. MPs should be questioned and challenged about accepting funds from tobacco interests.


How to "dob in" a drug dealer

If you have information about suspected smuggling of tobacco products or sales of illicit tobacco, known as “chop chop”, call: 
the Australian Tax Office hotline at 1800 060 062 or 
email details to illegaltobacco@ato.gov.au for investigation. 

Improve your advocacy skills

Some good advocacy sites include the Tobacco Free Initiative (WHO) and Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids. 

 

Take action for smokefree workplaces


Health events calendar
This  calendar  from the Australian Dept of Health and Ageing might be useful to plan tobacco-related activism around.

 

 
 

                                                             

Page last updated on 14/4/10