Australian Medical Association encourages reduction of tobacco consumption on World No Tobacco Day

World No Tobacco Day is observed each year on 31st May to highlight the harms associated with tobacco and to encourage action from individuals, communities and governments to support decreased use of tobacco.

The focus of World No Tobacco Day 2019 is on 'tobacco and lung health', with the aim of will increasing awareness of: the negative impact that tobacco has on people’s lung health, from cancer to chronic respiratory disease, the fundamental role lungs play for the health and well-being of all people. The campaign also serves as a call to action, advocating for effective policies to reduce tobacco consumption and engaging stakeholders across multiple sectors in the fight for tobacco control.

Advising that World No Tobacco Day is an opportunity for the newly re-elected Federal Government to make good on its commitment to reinvigorate national anti-smoking campaigns, Australian Medical Association (AMA) President, Dr Tony Bartone stated "for many years, Australia has been considered a world leader in tobacco control, with plain packaging, graphic warnings, restrictions on advertising and continued increases in excise.

“As a result, smoking rates in Australia halved between 1991 and 2016, from 24% to 12 %.

“Despite these declines, smoking continues to be the leading preventable cause of death and disease in Australia, and it is a leading risk factor for many chronic health conditions.

“Tobacco is unique among consumer products in that it causes disease and premature death when used exactly as intended.

“Two in three smokers will die as a result of smoking. Smoking increases the risk for coronary heart disease, stroke, peripheral vascular disease, respiratory disease and many cancers.

“World No Tobacco Day provides an important opportunity to discuss quitting strategies with current smokers. Hopefully it also encourages many smokers to engage in a quit attempt.

“The AMA welcomed the Coalition’s $20 million commitment to reinvigorate national anti-smoking campaigns, and the specific measures to tackle Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander smoking rates announced in the April Budget.

“We need to see real action and movement on anti-smoking campaigns that can help the seven out of 10 smokers who say they want to quit this deadly habit.

“GPs can help smokers by discussing the realities of a quit attempt, including how to avoid common triggers, as well as the potential role of medication and nicotine replacement therapy.

“This targeted support must be complemented by population level measures to reinforce the dangers associated with tobacco use, particularly to young people who are known to be more vulnerable to messages that glamorise smoking.

“The tobacco industry has shown us that we must not become complacent. Our world-leading anti-tobacco strategy is on the brink of stalling and risks failing the next generation of Australians.

“We know that exposure to tobacco advertising, though any medium, can influence a young person’s decision to try or take up smoking. We must continue to ensure that smoking is not normalised, for young people, as well as the rest of the community.”

Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) data shows that:

• Tobacco is the leading cause of cancer in Australia.

• Around one in 10 mothers smoked in the first 20 weeks of pregnancy.

• There has been a long-term downward trend in daily tobacco smoking since 1991 (24% to 12% in 2016).

• There has been an increase in the number of people choosing to never take up smoking (62% in 2016, up from 51% in 2001).

• In 2016, around one in three current smokers aged 14 and over have ever used e-cigarettes.

• 57% of daily smokers were aged over 40 in 2016.

• 20% of daily smokers lived in remote and very remote areas of Australia.

• Of the current smokers in secondary school aged 16 and 17, more than one quarter smoked daily.

In 2014/15, the Heart Foundation reported that:

• 14% of Australians aged 15 years and over smoked daily.

• More than 1.6 million Australian males aged 15 and over smoked, 90% of whom smoked daily.

• More than 1.2 million Australian females aged 15 and over smoked, 91% of whom smoked daily.

Click here to view the AMA Position Statement on Tobacco Smoking and E-cigarettes.