Tobacco Control organisations have enthusiastically welcomed the commitment of the Federal Opposition to boost funding for tobacco control.

ASH, Quit Victoria and the Cancer Council of Australia’s Tobacco Committee have also challenged all State Governments to provide funding to match the commitment announced by the Federal Opposition.

“With 19,000 Australians dying every year, a concerted and sustained campaign is needed to reduce the destruction caused by tobacco – the leading cause of preventable deaths in Australia,” they said.

The Opposition has committed $30 million over three years in a bid to reduce smoking prevalence among adults to 15 per cent.

“We would expect a large proportion of this funding to be directed into mass media quitting programs – a strategy proven to effective in Australia and overseas.”

“We know from the National Tobacco Campaign that sustained mass media campaigns deliver excellent value for money and provide an almost immediate benefit in reduced death and disease.”

We hope all political parties and State Governments make a commitment to reducing the terrible damage caused by tobacco.

We are calling upon the Coalition to improve their commitment to tobacco control beyond the $2.4m committed for 2001-02.

For further comment contact:
Anne Jones, Chief Executive on mobile 0417 227879 or (02) 93341876
Email: annej@ashaust.org.au

Page last updated on 2/11/2001