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ASH Action: funding the fight against tobacco |
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Australia has a strong record of success in tobacco control, getting our regular (daily + weekly) smoking rate down to around 19% (2004). But more can and must be done - as each day in Australia, 50 people die prematurely from smoking tobacco products. Around 3 million Australians are still regular smokers. Deaths caused by tobacco - over 15,000 each year - represent more than the combined deaths from road and all other accidents, alcohol and all illicit drugs, murder, suicide, HIV, breast cancer and more. Research shows that around 70% of smokers want to quit - and comprehensive, sustained anti-smoking campaigns overseas have succeeded in reducing smoking rates well below the current Australian rate. The cost of achieving such a reduction would be more than offset by savings in health care costs - and the health benefits to smokers, their families and businesses is well recognised. Although Government investment in reducing smoking rates has improved in recent years, it's still too low given the scale of the problem. And per capita, Australian (federal and state) funding of anti-tobacco measures is outstripped three to one by comparable OECD countries (the US, Canada and New Zealand). The economic case for greater government investment in reducing smoking rates and the enormous benefits to be gained by governments, families, businesses and regional Australia are summarised in a submission each year to the Federal Government with the endorsement of Australia’s leading health organisations and medical colleges. See ASH and other health groups' "Blue Chip" submission (2003) We support:
What should governments be spending on tobacco
control? See our factsheet
for Federal MPs You
can also help us by supporting
us financially - or with your time and effort…..
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Page last updated on 1/11/07 |