AMA National Conference 2010 - Dirty Ashtray Award
South Australia has the dubious distinction of receiving the AMA’s annual Dirty Ashtray Award for the second year in a row for the Australian State or Territory that made the least progress on combating smoking during 2009/10.
Ahead of World No Tobacco Day on 31 May, AMA Federal President, Dr Andrew Pesce today announced results of the AMA/Australian Council on Smoking and Health (ACOSH) National Tobacco Scoreboard.
The scoreboard allocates points to each State and Territory in various categories, including legislation, to track how effective governments have been at combating smoking in the previous 12 months. For the first time, this year the Commonwealth Government was considered as part of the same ranking process as State and Territory governments.
“It’s disappointing that South Australia is falling behind the rest of the country when it comes to tobacco control,” Dr Pesce said.
“South Australia has shown a continued failure to implement a comprehensive approach to tobacco control, and especially to protect the interests of children and non-smokers.
“There has been no progress on banning point-of-sale displays or protecting non-smokers in alfresco dining areas and outdoor drinking areas at licensed premises.”
At the other end of the scale and for the first time, the Commonwealth Government was ranked as the best performer on the 2009/10 National Tobacco Control Scoreboard.
Presenting the award to Prime Minister Kevin Rudd earlier today, Dr Pesce said that the Australian Government was to be congratulated on its comprehensive and determined approach to tobacco control.
He said that he hoped the results of the National Tobacco Control Scoreboard would encourage governments to do more to combat tobacco use.
28 May 2010
CONTACT: John Flannery 02 6270 5477 / 0419 494 761
Geraldine Kurukchi 02 6270 5467 / 0427 209 753
Follow the AMA on Twitter: http://twitter.com/amapresident
2010 AMA/ACOSH NATIONAL TOBACCO SCOREBOARD SUMMARIES
Over recent years the scoreboard has included comment on the Commonwealth’s commitment to tobacco control, as well as that of the States and Territories. For the first time this year all jurisdictions have been considered as part of the same ranking process. For the 2010 National Tobacco Scoreboard the Australian Government is ranked first overall on the basis of its actions during the year and its comprehensive approach. The New South Wales and Western Australian Governments are the best of the States and Territories. The South Australian Government receives the Dirty Ashtray Award, recognising its continuing failure to implement a comprehensive approach, and especially to protect the interests of children and non-smokers.
COMMONWEALTH
The Australian Government is to be congratulated on its comprehensive and determined approach which will make Australia the world leader in tobacco control. Recent announcements have included:
- a 25% increase in excise duty on tobacco products
- legislation to make plain packaging for tobacco products compulsory by 2012 – a world first
- banning tobacco marketing on the internet, and
- a major increase in funding for media campaigns on smoking.
The Australian Government has also recognized the importance of Indigenous smoking by committing over $100 million to the ‘Tackling Indigenous Smoking’ program over the next four years.
Among the States and Territories New South Wales and Western Australia are ranked equal first.
NEW SOUTH WALES
NSW remains a leader in funding for public education, at levels that should be matched by other jurisdictions. While NSW has good tobacco control legislation, the Government’s commitment to protecting non-smokers is undermined by a weak definition of enclosed public places, and minimal action on outdoor settings.
WESTERN AUSTRALIA
The Western Australian Tobacco Products Control Act 2009 will come into effect in September 2010. Implementation of the Act will include: a ban on smoking in cars carrying children; placing all tobacco products out of sight at point-of-sale; making al fresco dining areas smoke-free; and smoke-free children’s playgrounds and patrolled beaches.
There is scope for increased funding of public education and better protection of non-smokers in outdoor licensed premises, while the Burswood Casino’s continuing exemption still warrants attention.
VICTORIA
Victoria has been ranked equal third among States and Territories Victoria has good tobacco control legislation, but there is room for improvement, for example, in the definition of enclosed public places where areas that are up to 75% enclosed are deemed by legislation to be ‘outdoor areas’.
QUEENSLAND
Queensland has been ranked equal third among States and Territories. Queensland has excellent legislation on smoking in outdoor places and deserves credit for its emphasis on Indigenous smoking, including a substantial increase in recurrent funds for Indigenous tobacco control initiatives. Further reforms needed include banning vending machines and banning the sale of tobacco products at temporary events or from mobile vendors.
AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY
The Australian Capital Territory has been ranked fifth among States and Territories. The ACT has scored highly for its legislation on outdoor al fresco areas and prison smoking ban. In contrast, it is disappointing that a ban on smoking in cars carrying children is only being investigated. It is very disappointing that the ACT is involved with a “butt free” program funded by the British American Tobacco company.
TASMANIA
At sixth place, Tasmania is a leader in relation to enclosed public places and smokefree workplaces with no exemptions. Unfortunately, Tasmania falls behind in areas including funding for tobacco control initiatives and school education programs.
NORTHERN TERRITORY
The Northern Territory has been ranked seventh among States/Territories. Smoking trends in the Territory remain the worst in Australia, and there is an urgent need for the NT Government to demonstrate a special focus on tackling Indigenous smoking given its critical importance in reducing the life expectancy gap. The Government has, however, announced plans for significant action including banning point-of-sale displays and smoking in al fresco eating areas. It will be important that these measures are implemented, but the NT Government is to be commended for at last moving on tobacco control.
SOUTH AUSTRALIA
The 2010 Dirty Ashtray Award goes to South Australia. An improved approach to smoke-free health services is welcome. Unfortunately, South Australia lags behind in important areas of tobacco control and has made no progress on banning point-of-sale displays or protecting non-smokers in al fresco dining areas and outdoor drinking areas at licensed premises. The South Australian government inexplicably continues to fail its community in vital areas where other jurisdictions have shown that action is feasible.
AMA/ACOSH National Tobacco Scoreboard
Results 2010
| TAS | WA | VIC | NSW | QLD | SA | NT | ACT | CWTH | |
| Enclosed Public Places & Workplaces | 10 | 9 | 7 | 7 | 9 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 8 |
| Outdoors Public Places | 5 | 8 | 5 | 2 | 9 | 2 | 7 | 8 | 9 |
| RestrictionsTobaccomarketing | 8 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 2 | 8 | 9 | 6 |
| Uptake | 6 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 4 | 3 | 6 | 8 |
| Cessation | 6 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 7 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 7 |
| Indigenous | 6 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 6 | 5 | 6 | 9 |
| Other High Risk | 6 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 4 | 6 | 4 | 7 | 7 |
| Enforcement | 6 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 7 | 9 |
| Investment | 4 | 6 | 8 | 9 | 7 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 5 |
| Donations | 2 | 4 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 2 | 7 | 7 |
| TOTAL | 59 | 72 | 70 | 72 | 70 | 48 | 50 | 68 | 75 |
28 May 2010
CONTACT: John Flannery 02 6270 5477 / 0419 494 761
Geraldine Kurukchi 02 6270 5467 / 0427 209 753
Follow
the AMA on Twitter: http://twitter.com/amapresident