AMA/ACOSH National Tobacco Scoreboard 2008 Awards

The Scoreboard allocates points to each State and Territory over a number of categories, including legislation, to track how effective each Government has been in combating smoking over the previous 12 months.

With scores of 71 points, Western Australia and Queensland are the joint winners for 2008.

The Northern Territory, with just 19 points out of a possible 100, is this year's most disappointing performer in tobacco control. For the third year running, the NT has taken out the DIRTY ASHTRAY AWARD.

Presenting the Awards at the AMA National Conference in Hobart to coincide with World No Tobacco Day today, AMA President Dr Rosanna Capolingua said the NT's intransigence on reform in tobacco control was appalling.

"The Northern Territory's record on tobacco control is an embarrassment for a nation that is otherwise making good progress," Dr Capolingua said.

Dr Capolingua said that by contrast, WA and Queensland were good tobacco control role models.

"The WA Government has shown a consistent and strong commitment to tobacco control, with a particularly good record in banning smoking in enclosed public spaces" Dr Capolingua said.

"Queensland, too, has consistently scored well, with significant improvements over the past year including an upgraded Quit Line and a new 'Fresh Start' anti-smoking program.

"But neither state can afford to ease up on tobacco controls - more action is needed to eradicate smoking from outdoor eating areas and cars, and to make the areas around public buildings, including those in the health system, completely smoke-free."

Dr Capolingua said she hoped the strong message sent out with these Awards, especially the Dirty Ashtray, would accelerate Government and community efforts to stamp out smoking and encourage people to give up the killer habit.

"On a global scale Australia does reasonably well in tobacco control, but we still have a long way to go," she said.

"Tobacco tax needs to be raised, advertising and promotional loopholes should be slammed shut, and all adults must ensure that children are raised in a smoke-free environment.

CONTACT: Kylie Walker 0405 229 152

Kylie Butler 0417 652 488

2008 ACOSH/AMA NATIONAL TOBACCO SCOREBOARD SUMMARIES

WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Western Australian has been ranked equal first with Queensland in the 2008 tobacco control scoreboard. It has performed consistently over the past year but there is room for improvement in areas such as legislation to make al fresco areas smoke-free and ban smoking in cars carrying children. While WA has scored highly in enclosed public places, the Casino's continuing exemption warrants attention.

QUEENSLAND

Queensland has been ranked equal first with Western Australia. Queensland has made significant improvements over the past year by commencing the 'Fresh Start' program and upgrading the Quit line. While Queensland also has a good smoke-free record, the health system should set an example to other agencies by becoming completely smoke-free.

VICTORIA

Victoria comes in at third place on the scoreboard. While there has been an increase in funding for public education, it has fallen behind in outdoor areas, legislation and enforcement. Victoria allows four square metres of tobacco products visible at point of sale, the largest area at point of sale in the country.

NEW SOUTH WALES

NSW comes in at equal fourth with Tasmania. NSW is well ahead of the other States in funding, and should be congratulated on this investment. Regrettably, it is let down by its policy on indoor smoking in locations such as pubs and clubs, where it still has the '75% rule', and has permitted poker machines in outdoors areas. A recent NSW discussion paper signals the possibility of banning vending machines, stopping smoking in cars with children and removing all point of sale tobacco displays. We urge implementation of these policy initiatives.

TASMANIA

Coming in at equal fourth with NSW, Tasmania is let down by low levels of funding for public education and other aspects of tobacco control.

Tasmania, however, leads the country in legislation. It has strong smokefree legislation, and is the first Australian jurisdiction to pass legislation that will remove all tobacco products from display at point of sale. This is due to come into effect in 2011.

In recognition of its outstanding legislative record, Tasmania deserves a special mention for leadership in legislation.

SOUTH AUSTRALIA

South Australia comes in at sixth place on the scoreboard this year. There has been some progress - the casino is now smoke-free and legislation has been introduced to ban smoking in cars carrying children. There is room for improvement in other areas.

AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY

In seventh place, the ACT is again a very disappointing performer with very little progress in tobacco control during the last year. The ACT initially led the way in smoke-free enclosed public places, but maintains the '75%' rule which undermines the concepts behind the legislation. A discussion paper indicates a possible intent to legislate in areas such as banning smoking in cars carrying children and moving tobacco products out of sight at point of sale. We urge that these policy initiatives be implemented.

NORTHERN TERRITORY

The Northern Territory once again is bottom of the scoreboard. The Territory's lack of interest or action is particularly disturbing given the significant contribution tobacco makes to the Indigenous life expectancy gap. The Northern Territory's record on tobacco control is an embarrassment in a country that is otherwise making good progress.

COMMONWEALTH

It is too early to make a judgement on the new Commonwealth Government's performance in tobacco control. Early signs are encouraging, including:

• a commitment to funding tobacco control,
• a commitment to funding initiatives in Indigenous tobacco control,
• the announcement of introducing fire-safe cigarettes by 2009,
• the planned ban of fruit and candy flavoured cigarettes, and,
• the intention to end political donations by tobacco companies.

We hope to see further action in these and other aspects of tobacco control. During the coming year we would especially urge a commitment to:

implement all key components of the National Tobacco Strategy,

mandate plain packaging for all tobacco products,

fund tobacco control (including public education) at commercially realistic levels, and,

increase taxation on all tobacco products.