|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
| Back to Media Releases index |
“
Health
groups have welcomed the release of a new report showing a significant
decline in the number of Australians who smoke – and have called on
all governments to maintain the momentum to save lives and slash
social costs of $21b a year. The
2004 National Drug Strategy Household Survey* from the Australian
Institute of Health and Welfare, released today by Federal Health
Minister Tony Abbott, shows the rate of regular smoking (daily and
weekly) by Australians of 14 years and over has fallen from 21.1% in
2001 to 19% in 2004. Daily
smoking has declined two percentage points to 17.4% - one of the
lowest in the world but still trailing some other jurisdictions
including Canada at 15%. Says
Professor Matthew Peters, Chairman of Action on Smoking and Health
(ASH) Australia: “Australia
has done well in reducing smoking. This latest result confirms that
sustained effort by government is worth the investment – tobacco
control measures have proven themselves to be very cost-effective, as
this latest good news demonstrates. “These
strategies must now be maintained and extended if we are to reduce
smoking rates still further, and head off the tobacco industry’s
targeting of the young and the vulnerable.” Says
Prof Peters: “ASH’s target of cutting the weekly smoking rate to
10% by 2010 is realistic – provided funding is maintained, laws
strengthened and tobacco industry pressure resisted.” Adds
ASH CEO Anne Jones: “We can still do much more to help the one in
five Australians who still smoke, since the majority have already
tried to quit. “The
benefits of keeping up the pressure will be felt not only in a decline
in tobacco-caused deaths and disease, but in tremendous benefits to
Australia’s economy as health and other related costs fall. “Further
reducing smoking prevalence will help Australia avoid the
billion-dollar blowout in health costs which would flow from any
let-up in this fight.” * See 2004 NDS Household Survey report
Media inquiries:
Stafford Sanders ph.
(02) 9334-1823 m.
0412-070-194 |
|
Page last updated 7/4/05 |
|