Opposition's anti-smoking plans go part of the way
AMA Vice-President, Dr Trevor Mudge, said today that anti-smoking plans announced by the Federal Opposition are welcome, but only go part of the way in meeting required action as set out by medical and anti-smoking groups in Australia.
Dr Mudge said an increase in annual funding for tobacco control programs to $12 million a year by 2004 is a good start, but falls well short of the necessary extra $100 million over four years as detailed in the AMA's 2001 Budget submission.
- Tobacco - additional $100 million pa over four years
Cost neutral (matching revenue)
The AMA recommends that the Commonwealth increases the financial deterrent to smoking by increasing tax rates on tobacco, with a view to raising an additional $100 million per year in revenue to be spent on mass media campaigns, smoking cessation services, product regulation, reducing sales of cigarettes to children and support for smokers with mental illness.
"Increasing taxes on tobacco would provide the necessary funding, and such a move would require considerable political courage," Dr Mudge said.
"While the AMA strongly supports the introduction of cigarette 'shock packs' to Australia, a transition to more bland and unattractive packaging is a move in the right direction, as are plans to make packets more honest and informative about the health risks of smoking.
"The AMA supports the Shadow Health Minister's plan to reduce the smoking rate to 15 per cent of Australians. This target is achievable now that the rate is currently down to 20 per cent under current Health Minister, Dr Wooldridge.
"Too many Australians die or become gravely ill because of smoking. Any action to reduce the death rate must be supported by the Australian community.
"More importantly, as a community we must do everything in our power to stop young Australians from taking up smoking in the first place," Dr Mudge said.
CONTACT: John Flannery (02) 6270 5477 / (0419) 494 761
Sarah Crichton (02) 6270 5472 / (0419) 440 076