News July - September 2010
- 25% increase in tax on cigarettes
- Introducing plain packaging of cigarettes
- Ban on the display of tobacco products extended
- Low daily number of cigarettes smoked reported in remote Aboriginal communities
- $100.6 million funding to reduce smoking in Indigenous communities
- Tips for smoke free events in your community
- The ‘Kick the Habit’ campaign launched on World No Tobacco Day
- Changes in smoking expectancies during smoking cessation stages
- Smokerlyzers get people talking!
25% increase in tax on cigarettes posted 11 August 2010
On 30 April 2010, the Australian Government increased tax on tobacco products by 25%. It has been estimated this price increase should result in a 6% decrease in tobacco use which means approximately 87,000 less smokers over the next 10 years.
Introducing plain packaging of cigarettes posted 11 August 2010
In a world first measure, the Australian Government will introduce plain packaging for all cigarettes sold in Australia by 1 July 2012, read more in their media release. This means the logos, colours and graphics will be removed, the brand name will be written the same across all brands and larger health warning pictures will be included. For more information read ASH's Tobacco Facts sheet.
Ban on the display of tobacco products extended posted 11 August 2010
The tobacco display ban was extended to stores with less than 50 employees on 1st July 2010. It is now required by law that all retailers selling tobacco in Australian states and territories remove the display of tobacco products from public view and display health warnings and Quitline messages in their store.
Low daily number of cigarettes smoked reported in remote Aboriginal communities posted 11 August 2010
New data published in the Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health in July 2010 has suggested that Indigenous Australians may smoke half as many cigarettes as non-Indigenous Australians, even though Indigenous people suffer far higher rates of smoking-related illness.
$100.6 million funding to reduce smoking in Indigenous communities posted 11 August 2010
The Council of Australian Governments (COAG) has commited $1.6 billion over four years to Close the Gap in Indigenous health, $100.6 million of this has been allocated to tackle tobacco smoking among Indigenous Australians. Further information is available in this fact sheet. We will continue to keep you updated on this National action through our website.
Tips for smoke free events in your community posted 11 August 2010
Here are some tips on making your community events smoke free and suggestions on working for better health in your community.
The ‘Kick the Habit’ campaign was launched on World No Tobacco Day posted 11 August 2010
The aim of ‘Kick the Habit’ is to promote and increase awareness of smoking cessation options in Aboriginal communities. For more information visit our World No Tobacco Day page.
Changes in smoking expectancies during smoking cessation stages posted 11 August 2010
A new study has been published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco. This study examined reported changes in smoking beliefs during an 8-week smoking cessation trial.
Smokerlyzers get people talking! posted 11 August 2010
Smokerlyzers are a range of breath Carbon Monoxide (CO) monitors and testers that measure the amount of CO in exhaled breath. More information about Smokerlyzers and how to use them visit our training page.
