Media release
Put increased tobacco tax into health
The AMA welcomed a proposed increase in tobacco tax. The AMA has always supported increased tax and price signals on products that are bad for your health in order to reduce consumption. This is an opportunity to make health gains for individuals, and the revenue could support essential health care for the increasing unemployed.
AMA President, Dr Rosanna Capolingua, said doctors were deeply concerned for the one million Australians expected to lose their jobs over the next few years as a result of the recession.
“Unemployment has a huge impact on health. The physical and emotional health needs of these Australians, and of their dependants and families, were ignored in the budget and this needs to be fixed.
“Increasing the tax on tobacco and using that money for essential health services will help.
“We aren’t happy about the government’s broken promise on the 30% Private Health Insurance Rebate. The AMA is never happy about money being taken out of health. These funds must be directed towards supporting health services.
“This means strengthening our struggling public hospitals in preparation for longer queues. It means supporting the affordability of health services for the casualties of the recession. It means supporting mental health services to help people deal with the incredible stress on families and entire communities caused through unemployment.
“Doctors are worried about the pressure points in the health system which will be further strained by the recession including public hospitals, health services in the community and particularly mental health services. This is an opportunity for the budget to address these problems.
“This is where Government attention, and funding, needs to be focused.”
15 May 2009
CONTACT: Kirk Coningham 0417 142 467