Protect Australian parliament and our laws from Big Tobacco: PHAA
Public Health Association of Australia
As the second round of public hearings on illegal tobacco get underway in Canberra today, the Public Health Association of Australia (PHAA) says parliament must prioritise protecting future generations from Big Tobacco and nicotine addiction.
The organisation is one of 15 leading health organisations which have signed an open letter to the Australian public today in the lead-up to World No Tobacco Day (31 May), unmasking how the tobacco industry is using concerns about illicit tobacco to attempt to gain influence over Australia’s tobacco laws.
Adjunct Professor Terry Slevin, CEO, Public Health Association of Australia, says that Australians expect transparency and can see through tobacco industry narratives.
“Australia has a proud history of fighting back against the tobacco industry. We stopped cigarette advertising. We were the first to introduce plain packaging. We created smoke-free areas. We ran hard-hitting campaigns and we used price to help deter young people from smoking and encourage people who smoke to quit. It all paid off. Australia’s smoking rates have declined dramatically to around 8 percent.
“But the relentless multinational tobacco industry has fought us every step of the way and they haven’t given up. This is an industry whose products kill 66 Australians every day, yet it continues to seek influence over public policy. At the last parliamentary hearing, Big Tobacco’s self-interested attempts to save themselves billions in tax were laid bare when one major multinational was given an anonymous, undisclosed hearing behind closed doors.
“As the next round of hearings get underway today, the question must be – what influence is Big Tobacco attempting to have? We know the industry continues to make political donations. What is harder to detect is the funding provided through third party organisations, consultants and front groups that they use to fight their case. Australians deserve transparency and fairness,” says Adj Prof Slevin.
Associate Professor Raglan Maddox, Program Lead of the Tobacco Free Program at the Australian National University, says Australians want governments to protect future generations from the tobacco industry.
“No parent wants their kid to smoke or vape. Most people who smoke want to quit or wish they had never started. Young people have seen the damage smoking has done to family members and want governments to be stronger on tobacco laws, not weaken their resolve.
“The tobacco industry is using illicit tobacco as a self-serving argument to stall Australia’s progress on tobacco. We can’t raise the white flag. If we reduce the tax Big Tobacco pays, they will profit, but illicit tobacco will remain cheaper.
“We need governments across Australia to work together to lift the bar and fight illicit markets. We need stronger rules so that only the most trustworthy retailers can sell tobacco and to reduce the number of tobacconists popping up in every local town.
“We need better regulation of the entire tobacco supply chain. We need tough penalties that act as a deterrent and we need strong enforcement in every state and territory. We need to do more to help Australians who smoke and want to quit. And we need governments to stand up to protect current and future generations from an industry whose products kill 66 Australians every day.”
ENDS
For further information/comment:
Hollie Harwood
Strategic Communications Advisor
Public Health Association of Australia
0400 762 010
About the Public Health Association of Australia
We’re Australia's peak body for public health, and advocate for the health and wellbeing of everyone. We strive to help prevent – rather than cure – illness and disease. We represent around 2,000 individual members from more than 40 professional groups interested in the promotion of public health. We have branches in every state and territory. https://www.phaa.net.au/