But Pressure to Reduce Smoking Rates Must Remain
The Tasmanian Greens today welcomed the additional $1 million in the State Budget to target tobacco addiction and smoking rates, especially in high risk population groups including pregnant women and young people.
Greens Health spokesperson Paul O’Halloran MP said that the Greens had pursued additional funding to tackle tobacco addiction and believe this specific allocation is a step in the right direction.
“The Greens will continue to campaign for improved resourcing and prioritisation of efforts to reduce Tasmania’s smoking rates which are still amongst the worst in the nation,” Mr O’Halloran said.
“A recent ABS Australian Health Survey 2011-12 shows that Tasmania now has the highest smoking rates across the states. The Australian average for current smokers as a proportion of the population is 18.1%, yet Tasmania’s smoking rate is a massive 23.2%.”
“While we welcome the acknowledgement of the need to have a clear preventative health focus, the Greens will continue to advocate that all stops are pulled out to tackle tobacco addiction, as this in itself will help tackle other health pressures such as cancer, and obesity rates.”
“It must be recognised that organisations such as the Health Foundation and the Cancer Council have carried the load when it comes to on the ground delivery of anti-smoking awareness and education campaigns.”
“While this additional $1 million boost is a step in the right direction, we cannot fall into the trap of thinking it will be enough on its own. We all still need to pull together and maintain the pressure wherever we can to get these smoking rates down and keep them down.”
“Reducing smoking rates is good for a healthy community, and a healthy budget,” Mr O’Halloran said.
Paul O’Halloran MP Greens Health spokesperson Friday, 24 May 2013
