From The Director

Wednesday 21 July, 2010

There is still work to do

It is a rare thing in politics: the announcement of a tax increase that is met with resounding approval and praise. The federal government's decision to increase tobacco taxation by 25% was endorsed and applauded by all major health groups, and it is easy to see why.

The burden of cancer caused by smoking is immense. Most people are aware that smoking can cause cancer of the lungs. Unfortunately too few realise it also causes cancer of the larynx, bladder, mouth, cervix, pancreas, stomach, as well as countless other health issues.

For these reasons and many more, Cancer Council Victoria will continue to advocate for heavy restrictions on tobacco products.

Studies have shown that raising the price of cigarettes is the best way to encourage quitting among smokers. This tax increase, combined with the introduction of mandatory plain packaging for tobacco products by 2012, will prompt over 100,000 Australians to quit smoking. Crucially, the two measures should also discourage around 25,000 children from ever becoming addicted.

Currently, fewer than 20% of adults in Australia smoke, and tobacco remains a leading cause of preventable death, accounting for over 15,000 deaths annually.

Cancer Council Victoria has actively lobbied for taxation increases and plain packaging legislation for a number of years. Put simply, these new measures will encourage quitting and discourage uptake, and lives will be saved as a result.

Young Australians today are privileged to grow up in an environment where strict tobacco control is standard practice. My role as President of the International Union Against Cancer means I am acutely aware of how tobacco companies have been unscrupulously targeting the developing world in recent years. We should be thankful that with these two new measures, Australia is once again at the international forefront of tobacco control.

Election wish-list

With both a state and federal election looming, I am hopeful that health will remain an integral focus for Australians of all political persuasions. In particular, I would like to see a renewed determination from our political leaders regarding preventative health measures.

We know that the risk of developing cancer can potentially be reduced by up to 40% by making simple lifestyle changes and participating in other control measures such as vaccinations.

While there has been some progress made in addressing preventative health, the devastating impact cancer has on the community could be further reduced by adopting more of the labelling recommendations outlined by the National Preventative Health Taskforce late last year.

Alcohol has been shown to increase the risk of mouth and throat cancer, as well as bowel, oesophageal, liver,  and breast cancer. This is a proven fact that has not garnered nearly enough attention in the wider community. Alcohol labelling should carry a warning that the product is, in fact, a carcinogen.

Obesity has caught up to, if not surpassed, tobacco as the leading cause of preventable death in Australia. Education programs have, so far, been aimed at informing consumers and equipping them to make the healthy dietary choice. Unfortunately, while ambiguous food labelling systems remain in place, consumers will largely remain misinformed about nutritional content. 

I would urge all politicians to commit to preventative health measures. Whoever leads our state and nation after the coming elections, I hope they consider the overwhelming influence that advertising and marketing have over consumers. Too often, Australians are left swimming upstream against a powerful tide of misdirection.

Smoke and mirror tactics on food and alcohol labelling should, like cigarette promotions, be condemned to history. Upfront, honest and informative labels will allow consumers to make a choice that ultimately may help them cut their cancer risk.

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