Smokers Butting Out in Droves

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27 July 2011

Australia will soon have the world’s toughest anti-tobacco laws to help accelerate the nation’s decreasing daily smoking rates, Acting Minister for Health and Ageing Mark Butler said today, following the release of research on smoking, alcohol and drug use.

Research by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW)—published in the 2010 National Drug Strategy Household Survey report—showed that daily tobacco use is down to a record low of 15.1% and daily alcohol consumption is following a similar trend, down to a record 7.2%.

Minister Butler said that the reports findings show that more and more Australians are making healthier choices.

“The Gillard Government’s comprehensive tobacco control efforts have considerably reduced national smoking rates,” Mr Butler said.

“There are no two ways about it, smoking kills so I’m pleased people are heeding this message and butting out.

“The Tobacco Plain Packaging Bill 2011 that is now before Parliament will be a world-first initiative to restrict tobacco logos, brand imagery, colours and promotional text on packs—helping stub out smoking, particularly by young people.

AIHW research showed the largest falls in daily smoking were among people in their early twenties to mid-forties.

Mr Butler welcomed the report’s finding that daily alcohol consumption rates are at a record low of 7.2 per cent.

“Many Australians enjoy a drink from time to time and this report shows that the vast majority of Australians are drinking sensibly and in moderation.

“We know that drinking at risky levels is extremely dangerous which is why we invested $103.5 million in the National Binge Drinking Strategy.

“Similarly, the latest AIHW figures showed that 44.1 per cent of smokers who had quit, tried to quit, or reduce their smoking in 2010, had been motivated by ‘cost’—rising significantly from 35.8 per cent in 2007,” Mr Butler said.

The Australian Government increased the excise tax on tobacco by 25 per cent in 2010 to encourage smokers to quit. The Government is investing all tobacco excise revenue in better health and hospital services.

“But more needs to be done to combat tobacco’s deadly toll,” Mr Butler said.

“Each year, smoking kills about 15,000 Australians and costs the country an estimated $31.5 billion.”

Australia has prohibited tobacco advertising, removed sponsorships, restricted point of sale displays, and outlawed smoking in restaurants and bars and many public places.

The Government has made record investments in anti-smoking social marketing campaigns, implemented world-leading graphic health warnings, and supported smoking cessation tools and programs.

For all media inquiries, please contact the Minister's Office on 02 6277 7220