And the winner is...AMA/ACOSH National Tobacco Scoreboard 2002

In second spot Tasmania scored 49 points, just beating equal third place getters, NSW (48) and Western Australia (48). South Australia (46), ACT (38), and Queensland (36) followed.

The Northern Territory (31) has secured its fourth successive Dirty Ashtray Award but is considering a range of legislative proposals that, if passed, may take it to the top of next year's Scoreboard. The judges have acknowledged NT as this year's most promising performer.

After receiving an Encouragement Award in 2001, Queensland has finished within range of last position on 36 points and has been recognised as the Most Disappointing state.

At an awards ceremony at the Hyatt Hotel in Canberra today, AMA Federal President, Dr Kerryn Phelps, said Victoria had shown courageous leadership in tobacco control issues.

"Their comprehensive regulations on Smoking in Enclosed Public Places, restrictions on Tobacco Promotion and general support for Quit campaigns have pushed it well beyond other Australian governments", Dr Phelps said.

"Although the Northern Territory has again won the Dirty Ashtray Award, it has continued its excellent performance in addressing smoking among Indigenous Australians.

"The Northern Territory is this year's MOST PROMISING performer and will be watched closely in coming months to see if 2002's DIRTY ASHTRAY should be revoked.

"The scoreboard is a great opportunity to draw attention to the progress being made in tobacco control. We compare the performances of state and territory governments, we applaud governments that are leading the way and point out the ones who are lagging behind.

"The ultimate aim of the initiative is to be able to acknowledge that all states and territories have acted as much as possible to protect the public from the effects of smoking, reduce the likelihood of young people taking up smoking and be fearless in confronting tobacco companies for the damage they are inflicting," Dr Phelps said.

The AMA/ACOSH Scoreboard has been running since 1994.

CONTACTS:

AMA Federal Sarah Crichton (0419) 440 076

AMA Victoria: President Dr Mukesh Haikerwal (0407) 599 332

AMA NT: President Dr Paul Bauert (0418) 277 004

ACOSH: Director Ron Edwards (0408) 925 805

QUIT Victoria: Zoe Furman (0408) 176 934

2002 AMA / ACOSH Tobacco Scoreboard

AMA/ACOSH TOBACCO SCOREBOARD 2002

VICTORIA'S continued willingness to confront the impact of tobacco has seen it reach the top of 2002's National Tobacco Scoreboard. After finishing second last year, Victoria scored 57 points and was 8 points clear at the top of the table.

Last year's winner, Tasmania, slipped to second on 49 points and was closely followed by a group of three states, Western Australia, New South Wales and South Australia.

2002 continued the decline of the ACT, which remained in sixth place on 38 points after being an early pioneer in addressing tobacco issues.

After receiving an Encouragement Award in 2001, Queensland has disappointed and finished within range of last position on 36 points.

The NORTHERN TERRITORY, on 31 points, will receive this year's DIRTY ASHTRAY AWARD, but provides every cause for optimism with a range of impressive legislative proposals. Although this is its fourth successive Dirty Ashtray, the Northern Territory would be elevated to the top of the Tobacco Scoreboard should this legislation be implemented.

In addition to governments at the top and bottom of this year's Scoreboard, we would like to recognise the following:

MOST PROMISING- Northern Territory

MOST DISAPPOINTING - Queensland

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NOTE: Scores do not correspond to previous years. Criteria for this year's Scoreboard are significantly different to previous years in order to correspond more directly to the National Tobacco Action Plan. This year we were particularly keen to recognise support and funding for Quit programmes, which received an emphasis in scoring.

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SUMMARIES FOR EACH STATE / TERRITORY

VICTORIA has been 2002's best performer due to its courageous leadership in tobacco control issues. Comprehensive regulations on Smoking in Enclosed Public Places, restrictions on Tobacco Promotion and general support for Quit campaigns have pushed it well beyond other Australian governments. Added to this is Victoria's excellent framework for enforcement of tobacco laws.

However, if Victoria is to stay at the top in the coming year it must continue to provide adequate support to Quit campaigns and review again its restrictions on smoking in public places.

In second spot, TASMANIA continues to standout with excellent legislation on tobacco issues, which has been generally well received. The reason for losing top spot can be attributed largely to deficient funding and support for Quit campaigns. Tasmania also rates poorly in initiatives for Adult Cessation and Addressing Smoking Among Indigenous Australians. The Tasmanian Government must review these areas.

Third place goes to WESTERN AUSTRALIA who provides solid all round support to Quit campaigning in terms of funding and initiatives. Western Australia's legislation on tobacco related issues is generally adequate, but its efforts in Tobacco Promotion Restrictions are very poor. In the next twelve months the Government must act to improve all aspects of its legislation or Western Australia certainly will fall to the bottom of the table.

Joining WA in equal third position is NEW SOUTH WALES, who emerges as the state or territory most willing to act to enforce legislative restrictions in tobacco related areas. Despite this impressive record, New South Wales provides only moderate support to Quit campaigns and initiatives. It must improve all aspects of its tobacco related legislation to keep up with Australia's leaders.

SOUTH AUSTRALIA, finishing fifth, is a national leader in terms of its excellent funding and support for Quit campaigns. South Australia also has a sound commitment to Address Smoking among Indigenous Australians. However, it is in desperate of legislative rejuvenation! South Australia lags in its approach to Smoking in Enclosed Public Places, Smokefree Workplaces and Tobacco Promotion Restrictions.

The AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY was an early leader in Australian tobacco control but continues to fall behind other governments, now finding itself towards the bottom of this year's table in sixth place. The Government has not demonstrated an understanding of the importance of tobacco control and reform is sadly overdue for the ACT's legislation on Smoking in Enclosed Public Places, which was once the envy of other jurisdictions. The ACT has excellent restrictions on Tobacco Promotion that are well policed at the point of sale, but support is lacking in enforcing regulations on sales to minors. The ACT has failed to provide adequate resources for Quit campaigning and has not built on its legislative foundation with essential support.

While some governments have improved more quickly than others, QUEENSLAND seems the only state at risk of going backwards. Its decision to cut funds to General Quit Campaigns was an embarrassment and left Queensland with a score of zero in this category. On the positive side, Queensland is a national leader in Addressing Smoking Among Indigenous Australians and has admirable restrictions on Tobacco Promotion. However, there is no doubt Queensland is a clear favourite for next year's Dirty Ashtray Award unless it addresses its funding and legislative shortcomings. Queensland is this year's MOST DISAPPOINTING performer in tobacco issues.

The NORTHERN TERRITORY is in an unusual position. It has secured its fourth successive Dirty Ashtray Award but is considering a raft of impressive legislative proposals that, if passed, will take it to the top of next year's Scoreboard. It has continued its excellent performance in Addressing Smoking Among Indigenous Australians and its support for Quit campaigning is generally adequate. By addressing its pronounced legislative shortcomings the Territory will become a national leader.

The Northern Territory is this year's MOST PROMISING performer and will be watched closely in coming months to see if 2002's DIRTY ASHTRAY should be revoked.