Michael Ferguson: Smoking rates decreasing

The Liberal Government is committed to improving the health of all Tasmanians.

I welcome news that smoking in Tasmania has reached an historic low according to the latest figures.

The Tasmanian Population Health Survey of more than 6,000 Tasmanians has found the number of adults smoking has fallen to about one in seven from about one in five in 2009.

The survey, conducted in December 2013, also found daily smoking rates have fallen from about 16 per cent to about 12 per cent across the same period.

The greatest reduction in smoking was recorded in the 35 to 54 age group.

It is great news that more Tasmanians are quitting smoking.

It not only improves health and wellbeing, but ensures Tasmanians can live a longer and more productive life, while reducing the burden on the health system.

The State Government is committed to making it easier to quit, and easier to stay smoke-free.

This is supported by measures including Tasmania’s smoke-free areas legislation, anti-smoking campaigns and increases in tobacco prices at a Federal level.

It is important to note that the survey was conducted using landline phones, and may underrepresent young smokers, but this certainly points to a very pleasing decline in smoking rates.

The Tasmanian Population Health Survey is available online at Tasmanian Population Health Survey 2013: http://www.dhhs.tas.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0020/152264/TPHS2013_Key_Findings.pdf
Michael Ferguson, Minister for Health