The AMA/ACOSH Tobacco Scoreboard ranks the legislative and public efforts of State and Territory Governments to stop Australians smoking.

During 2003-04 a range of initiatives has pushed NT to the top of the tobacco control table with 57 points.

At an awards ceremony in Brisbane today, AMA President, Dr Bill Glasson, said the Northern Territory has demonstrated remarkable leadership in legislating tobacco control measures in 2003-04.

" 'Point of sale' displays is where the Territory has led other States as now retailers are only allowed to display one pack of each type with other packs out of sight.  There has also been a lot of work undertaken on education of retailers as a part of a growing emphasis on enforcement,"

Dr Glasson said.

"South Australia and the ACT have both shown leadership in relation to smokefree hotels and clubs, however they are still behind in other areas."

In second place on 55 points was South Australia.  Running closely behind in third place was the ACT (54 points), followed by Queensland (48 points), Western Australia (47 points), equal second last is New South Wales (46 points), and Victoria (46 points).  (State summaries - attached).

Tasmania (40 points) is this year's most disappointing performer in tobacco control and is the recipient of this year's 'DIRTY ASHTRAY AWARD'.

"Tasmania came very close to getting the 'Dirty Ashtray Award' last year.  There is a strong call for more affirmative action on funding for Quit campaigns and smoking cessation programs amongst the adult and indigenous population," Dr Glasson said. 

"Quit campaigns have not been adequately resourced and the Tasmanian Government has failed to bite the bullet and ban smoking in the hospitality sector."

"The effects of smoking are deadly, with smoking killing one in two long-term smokers.

ACOSH estimates the cost of smoking to the Australian economy is close to $21 billion each year.

CONTACTS:                      

AMA Public Affairs:       Judith Tokley,  (0408) 824 306

AMA NT:                     President Dr David Meadows (0407) 796 454

AMA Tasmania:            President Dr Tony Lawler (0418) 104 224

ACOSH:                      Mr Stephen Hall (08) 9212 4309, (0408) 426 263

NT Tobacco Control Coalition:  Graham Opie, Chair (0421) 915 238;
                                          email: graham.opie@heartfoundation.com.au

QUIT Tas:                   Wilson, (03) 6228 2921; email: mwilson@quittas.org.au 

Cancer Council Tas:      Lawson Ride, Director, (03) 6233 2030; (0418) 129 757;
                                 email: lride@cancertas.org.au

The Cancer Council Australia: Dr Andrew Ellerman, Chair Tobacco Issues Committee, (0419) 819 923

2004 NATIONAL TOBACCO SCOREBOARD SUMMARIES

The NORTHERN TERRITORY has secured its second consecutive win in the National Tobacco Scoreboard.  On an overall analysis no other State/Territory has managed to outperform them 2003/04.

"Point of sale" displays is where the Territory has led other States as now retailers are only allowed to display one pack of each type with other packs must be out of sight.  There has also been a lot of work undertaken on education of retailers as a part of a growing emphasis on enforcement.  The Northern Territory is also training 22 health professionals to conduct Quit courses in workplaces and other community settings.  There still remains the need for legislation and regulations to be updated in the Territory.

SOUTH AUSTRALIA, has finished second due to its announcement last November for a phase in of smokefree pubs and clubs by October 2007.  The taskforce had recommended 2005, so it is a little disappointing that the government opted for 2007.  The lack of progress in formalising this in legislation has meant that the first part of the implementation process has been delayed.  Comprehensive Youth Smoking campaigns continue to improve; along with the funding of several new projects to address the issue of smoking in the Indigenous community.

The AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY moves up in the scoreboard because it has passed legislation to ban smoking in enclosed public places from the end of 2006; it is the only jurisdiction in Australia to have taken this step.  There is still room for substantial improvement in a number of areas including funding of Quit Campaigns and initiatives in addressing or promoting adult cessation.

QUEENSLAND Earlier this month in the Queensland parliament there was unaminous all party support for a ban on smoking in pubs, clubs and the casino.  The Government has indicated it will legislate by the end of this year to remove exemptions that exist for pubs, clubs and the casino, but has not given any indication of what the end date will be.  The Government appears to be taking a much stronger line on passive smoking; this may have been as a result of the Premier's visit to Ireland a few days after the Irish bans came into effect.  Queensland is also taking positive steps in relation to youth uptake and adult cessation of smoking.  Last year Queensland won the Dirty Ashtray appears to be on the move in anti-tobacco action.

WESTERN AUSTRALIA has significantly increased its funding to mass media campaigns over the last four years and has re-established "Say No To Smokes" which is working in the Indigenous community.  The Governments' response to the long awaited review for Enclosed Public Places last year was disappointing; but at the time of preparing this report the WA Government has just announced bringing forward the next review form 2007 to 2005; and that it will include definite timelines for the elimination of all remaining exemptions.  The "Tobacco Control Act", Western Australia's legislation on tobacco related issues, remains in need of a major update.  The Government must act decisively on the Smoking in Enclosed Public Places Regulations and the Tobacco Control Act or face ending up nearer to the bottom of the table next year.

Equal second last is NEW SOUTH WALES, who appear to have lost the momentum they had a couple of years back.  New South Wales still only provides moderate support to Quit campaigns and initiatives per capita.  There has still been no movement on the casino and other hospitality venue legislation; although we understand an announcement is imminent.  NSW has also announced its intention to ban "point of sale" advertising; however there is no date for implementation.  While NSW did find some money to run the "Ladykiller" campaign from WA, there is very little support for general Quit campaigns and initiatives to address youth uptake.

As yet it must improve on all aspects of tobacco related legislation to keep up with Australia's leaders.

VICTORIA, has lost momentum and has slumped to equal second last along with New South Wales.  Victoria did not make any major improvements this year, the pace of reform has not been satisfactory.  Victoria is rapidly falling behind when compared with other States.  Victoria has given a commitment to examine moving cigarette packs out of sight at point of sale, however, a stronger commitment to legislative reform and increasing funding is required if Victoria is to lift its rating.

TASMANIA came very close to getting the 'Dirty Ashtray Award' last year.  There is a strong call for more affirmative action on funding for Quit campaigns and cessation programs amongst the adult and indigenous population.  It appears there is poor planning in relation to tobacco control in Tasmania with still no finalisation of a Tobacco Action Plan, even though work has been undertaken on it over several years.  Quit campaigns have not been adequately resources and the Tasmanian Government has failed to bite the bullet and ban smoking in the hospitality sector.

Tasmania is this year's MOST DISAPPOINTING performer in tobacco control and is the recipient of this year's 'Dirty Astray Award'.

'World No Tobacco Day' May 31

30 May 2004