AMA/ACOSH/ASH National Tobacco Scoreboard Award 2013

NO OUTRIGHT WINNERS THIS YEAR – BUT HIGH COMMENDATIONS TO THE AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT AND TASMANIA

There was no single outstanding new achievement in tobacco control in Australia over the past year to earn the outright National Tobacco Scoreboard Award for 2013, but the Australian and Tasmanian governments received High Commendations from the judges for their improvements in tobacco control legislation and investment.

The National Tobacco Scoreboard is conducted each year by the AMA, the Australian Council on Smoking and Health (ACOSH), and Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) to put a spotlight on governments’ progress, or lack of it, on tobacco control.

A week ahead of World No Tobacco Day on 31 May, AMA President, Dr Steve Hambleton, this evening announced the results at the AMA National Conference in Sydney.

The National Tobacco Scoreboard Award goes to the State or Territory Government that has been the most effective in tobacco control over the past year, and the Dirty Ashtray Award goes to the Government that has been least effective.

In recent years, the Australian Government has been recognised for its world-leading efforts on tobacco plain packaging.

The Scoreboard allocates points to each State and Territory in various categories, including legislation, to track how effective governments have been in combating smoking in the preceding year.

Dr Hambleton said both the Australian and Tasmanian governments have shown a strong commitment to tobacco control.

“The Australian Government has made Australia the world leader in tobacco control,” Dr Steve Hambleton said.

“The Government’s unwavering commitment in world-first plain packaging legislation, after defending multiple time-consuming legal challenges, as well as action to reduce the duty free limit, tobacco smuggling and electronic media tobacco advertising, is to be highly commended.

“The Tasmanian Government has also taken strong steps to counter high smoking prevalence.

“The Tasmanian Government has introduced legislation which in some respects is the best in Australia in banning smoking in enclosed public places and workplaces, as well as outdoor and partly enclosed public places, public transport waiting areas, and smoking in work vehicles.”

Dr Hambleton said he hopes that the strong message sent out to governments with these awards will speed up efforts to stamp out smoking and, more importantly, encourage people to give up the killer habit.

Other than the two High Commendations and the Dirty Ashtray Award for poorest performance, the States and Territories have not been ranked in order of achievement or lack of achievement this year.

Full summaries of the performances by the States and Territories are attached.

CONTACT:         John Flannery                       02 6270 5477 / 0419 494 761

                            Kirsty Waterford                  02 6270 5464 / 0427 209 753

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