Queensland and Tasmania Lead the Legislative Fight Against Smoking Over Last 12 Months

Dr Haikerwal said that today - Daffodil Day - is an appropriate time to acknowledge the efforts of Governments who are improving the environment and the health of Australians by encouraging people to give up the killer habit of smoking.

Run by the Cancer Council of Australia, Daffodil Day is the largest fundraising event of its kind for cancer research, education and patient support in the Southern Hemisphere, and organisers hope to raise $7.8 million this year.

According to analysis conducted by the Australian Council on Smoking and Health - ACOSH - the Queensland and Tasmanian Governments have done more over the last twelve months to combat smoking, and have been declared joint winners of the AMA/ACOSH National Tobacco Scoreboard Award 2005.

The ACT is this year's most disappointing performer in tobacco control and has taken out the infamous Dirty Ashtray Award for 2005 because its efforts over the last 12 months have lagged behind the other States and its anti-smoking advances of recent years

Dr Haikerwal said that while there are winners and losers in these awards, it is pleasing to see that all our governments are finally all working with commitment towards stamping out smoking and saving Australian lives.

"As doctors, we see the harmful effects of smoking every day," Dr Haikerwal said.

"We despair at the senseless loss of life and the avoidable harm it does to people's health.

"The worst part is seeing young kids smoking. They have to learn that every puff is eating away at their young bodies.

"The AMA applauds the work of ACOSH, the Cancer Council and other groups who are striving to make Australia a smoke-free zone.

"We also applaud the efforts of Governments to create more smoke free workplaces and venues. Some are doing more than others but they are all heading in the right direction.

"As a community, we must urge our Governments to do more, and faster," Dr Haikerwal said.

For the first time, ACOSH has passed judgement on the efforts of the Australian Government in tobacco control and anti-smoking measures with their comments categorised as 'the good, the bad, and the ugly". See comments in the summaries.

AMA/ACOSH NATIONAL TOBACCO CONTROL SCOREBOARD 2005 SUMMARIES

TASMANIA AND QUEENSLAND

It was impossible to split these two states on the tobacco control initiatives they have taken. Both have led with different initiatives. So we have declared these two states as equal first in the tobacco control scoreboard.

Tasmania will be the first State to have smokefree pubs and clubs and has also taken a strong stand on enforcement.

But what gets them equal first is their requirement for signage with graphic warnings at the point of tobacco sales.

This has led to a major supermarket chain as well as more than fifty other retailers voluntarily putting all tobacco products under the counter at the point of sale.

Queensland has also taken a comprehensive approach to smokefree pubs and clubs. They have taken the lead by defining smoking areas in hotel outdoor areas.

This decision was based on the level of activity, rather than building design.

This includes smokefree alfresco eating and drinking areas.

Queensland has also led the way with smoking bans on patrolled beaches and within 10 metres of children's playgrounds.

THE REST

Victoria came a close third. They passed legislation earlier this month, which from 1 March 2006 will prohibit smoking, the display of tobacco products and the sale of tobacco products at underage music and dance events. They have also put an end to smoking in covered areas of train station platforms and bus and tram stops. And they've banned buzz marketing and non-branded tobacco advertising. The Victorians have also strengthened the laws against selling cigarettes to young people. And from 1 July 2007, there will be no smoking in enclosed licensed premises.

Western Australia comes in a very close fourth. After a great deal of procrastinating on the issue in 2003, the Premier announced an end date of July 2006 for smoking in hotels, clubs and nightclubs. This was astonishing in that the AHA (WA) agreed to the end date. There is to be a major updating of the WA Tobacco Control Act, which has been on the agenda for ten years. The legislation has been tabled in parliament and will provide some of the toughest enforcement laws if it gets through unscathed. The Minister also announced a review of smoking in prisons and psychiatric institutions.

New South Wales comes into the list at number five and is to be congratulated for getting its legislation through the Parliament. Nevertheless, its long lead time and the now current rules where publicans show the division between smoking and smokefree areas by sticking masking tape on the floor is simply absurd. The NSW Government does deserve some recognition, however, for increasing the funding for mass media campaigns.

South Australia is sixth. Although they were the first to announce smokefree hotels and clubs, South Australia will not be smokefree until October 2007. There has not been a lot of change or development on other key measurements areas except that laws against sales to minors will be easier to enforce with the introduction of an expiation (penalty) fee.

The Northern Territory appears to have dropped the ball after leading the scoreboard over the last two years, coming in at seventh this year. It's the only jurisdiction without an end date for smoking in hotels and clubs - a significant indictment. The NT Government does continue to take a strong line on enforcement and has now employed a fulltime tobacco enforcement co-ordinator. But in contrast to this there has been no action on a review of the Territory's tobacco legislation, which is long overdue.

The ACT is this year's most disappointing performer in tobacco control. It is to be applauded for passing its smokefree hospitality legislation. But the legislation has been totally undermined by the definition of 'enclosed'. Any space that is 75 per cent enclosed is regarded as not enclosed for the purposes of the Act. This is not logical and makes a mockery of the intent of the initial legislation.

The Commonwealth

The Good

• The actions of the ACCC to address the issue of misleading light and mild descriptors on tobacco packs
• New stronger, graphic health warnings to appear on tobacco packages from March 2006
• Support for FCTC

The Bad

• Failure of the Commonwealth to act on a Review of the TAP Act, thereby neutering some of the critical elements of the National Tobacco Strategy

The Ugly

• Emasculating the National Tobacco Strategy with reference to the tobacco industry taking responsibility for their actions.

19 August 2005

CONTACTS

AMA Public Affairs: John Flannery 0419 494 761; Judith Tokley 0408 824 306

AMA Queensland President: Dr Steve Hambleton 0407 736 389

AMA Tasmania President: Dr Michael Aizen 0408 339 351

AMA ACT President: Dr Charles Howse 0416 673 240

ACOSH: Mr Stephen Hall 08 9212 4309 / 0408 426 263