What if the world was tobacco-free?

Editor's note

Smoking devours almost 2% of global GDP, and 6% of the world’s healthcare spending, according to a comprehensive new study published this week. It also kills some 15,000 Australians every year.

It’s time for a new policy approach says Kathryn Barnsley, one that moves thinking away from the mere control of tobacco and instead towards an “endgame” of a tobacco-free future.

Sarah Keenihan

Life Sciences Editor

Top story

Current smoking cessation rates are not sufficient to meet public health goals. soelin/flickr

It's time to focus on an endgame for tobacco regulation

Kathryn Barnsley, University of Tasmania

An "endgame" approach focuses on ending the tobacco pandemic, and foresees a tobacco-free future.

Science + Technology

Listen up: a plan to help scientists get their research heard by decision-makers

Mark Quigley, University of Melbourne; Adrien Ickowicz, Data61; Antonio Verdejo-Garcia, Monash University; Ben Galton-Fenzi; Christopher J White, University of Tasmania; Gery Geenens, UNSW Australia; Keith Gerard Pembleton, University of Southern Queensland; Kirsty Kitto, Queensland University of Technology; Kyra Hamilton, Griffith University; Luke Bennetts, University of Adelaide; Madhura Killedar, Monash University; Mark Lindsay, University of Western Australia; Melanie Roberts, University of Melbourne; Patricia Durance, Monash University; Petra Kuhnert, Data61

Research comes with risk and uncertainty so getting the right message across to the people who matter can be a challenge for scientists. A new plan out today hopes to change that.
Shallow impact: when crackpot conspiracy theories are touted as news, we all lose

Peter Ellerton, The University of Queensland

The reporting of crackpot theories as news by mainstream news outlets only damages the credibility of the media and science, and undermines public trust in both.
Know when to fold 'em: AI beats world's top poker players

Toby Walsh, Data61

Artificial intelligence researchers have upped the ante and developed a program that has beaten the world's best Heads-Up No-Limit Texas Hold’em poker players.

Environment + Energy
More than half the world's most important natural sites are under threat: it's time to protect them James Watson, The University of Queensland; James Allan, The University of Queensland; Sean Maxwell, The University of Queensland You'd hope we wouldn't flatten the pyramids to build a highway. But that's exactly what's happening to the world's natural heritage sites.

Politics + Society

Dunstan, Christies and me: growing up in the ‘Athens of the South’

Chris Wallace, Australian National University

For once in its life, under the premiership of Don Dunstan, South Australia felt like the very centre of the universe.
Turnbull will acknowledge people's pain in speech on agenda

Michelle Grattan, University of Canberra

Malcolm Turnbull on Wednesday will acknowledge that despite long-sustained economic growth, in many parts of Australia 'times are not so good'.
Explainer: what are executive orders? And what force do they have in US politics?

Bryan Cranston, Swinburne University of Technology

Although congressional Democrats have been vocal in opposing most of Donald Trump’s executive orders, they appear to have little support from Republicans to enact the legislation needed change them.
White House promises Trump ban won't affect Australians

Michelle Grattan, University of Canberra

The White House has given assurances that Australian dual citizens will not be caught by Donald Trump's suspension of entry from seven designated predominantly Muslim countries.
How Australia can spread the benefits of our bulging infrastructure pipeline

Martin Loosemore, UNSW Australia

With one of the world’s largest infrastructure pipelines, Australian governments could leverage their procurement spending power to benefit the communities where the work is done.

Business + Economy

The search for an economic solution for South Australia

John Spoehr, Flinders University

South Australia is facing a whole range of social and economic problems that are forming the perfect storm.
Explainer: what is modern monetary theory?

Steven Hail, University of Adelaide

Modern monetary theory is gaining traction in a global economic environment that defies the efforts of policymakers to restore growth.

Health + Medicine
Why the media need to tread carefully when reporting research findings Hannah Brown, University of Adelaide Now, more than ever, in a world filled with 'fake news', it's up to researchers to work hard to have accurate messages publicised.