Smoking greatly increases the risk of many cancers,
cardiovascular disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
and other respiratory diseases, peripheral vascular disease
and many other serious medical conditions.8 Exposure to
second-hand smoke also causes disease and premature death
in adults and children who do not smoke.9
Tragically, half of all long-term smokers will die prematurely
because they smoked.10 Smoking also imposes a heavy
financial burden on the Australian community – estimated at
$31.5 billion in 2004–05.11
Reducing tobacco-related harm in our community is a priority
for all governments. The National Tobacco Strategy 2012–2018
has been prepared by the IGCD Standing Committee on
Tobacco, with input from a range of stakeholders, including
governments, health groups, community-based organisations,
industry organisations and the public. All health ministers
endorsed the strategy at the 9 November 2012 meeting of the
Standing Council on Health.
The strategy sets out the national framework to reduce
tobacco-related harm in Australia. It reflects best practice in
tobacco control and complements existing policy frameworks
at the state and territory, national and international levels.
The strategy provides an overview of the impact of tobacco use
in Australia, and outlines shared goals, objectives and targets
for tobacco control across government and non-government
agencies for the next six years. It also identifies nine priority
areas and associated key actions to be implemented to reduce
tobacco-related harm.