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November 2022
Fourth Edition 2022
Welcome to our final edition for the year, and what a year it's been! We had the pleasure of hosting two successful events 1) Towards Tobacco Free by 2030 Symposium, and 2) Tobacco Control in the 21st Century Masterclass. We hope these three days provided inspiration to reinvigorate tobacco control in the COVID era and beyond. We also supported the Western Australia (WA) Bandyup Women's Prison to go smoke-free. Since our last edition, various research was published, with topics ranging from tobacco retail stores, e-cigarette health communication strategies, to opportunities for tobacco control in Australia. Scroll further to find out more and stay up-to-date on tobacco-related news.
First smoke-free prison in WA
Bandyup Women’s Prison is the first prison in WA to go smoke-free; which will result in significant health, financial and social benefits for people in prison, staff, and their loved ones.
Cancer Council WA is committed to supporting the Department of Justice through a) staff training and education, b) increasing access to quit smoking support for people in prison and staff, and c) providing appropriate and relevant resources for prisons throughout WA.
Industry sector workers still exposed to tobacco smoke and e-cigarette aerosols
During October’s Safe Work Month, the Make Smoking History team surveyed 472 adults who work in a range of industries including mining, construction, healthcare, transport and community services. Results found two in five (42%) WA adult employees surveyed reported they were still being exposed to smoke and aerosol drift entering buildings:
- through doorways or windows
- in and around entrances and walkways, and
- in common outdoor areas while at work.
WA’s Work Health and Safety laws and regulations prohibit smoking in an enclosed workplace, but they don't cover outdoor workplaces - a gap that needs to be addressed.
Towards Tobacco Free By 2030: Post-Symposium learnings
Last month we delivered our hybrid Symposium to over 200 attendees. Our collective goal is to halve smoking rates in Western Australia by 2030. NOW is the time to take bold action to reduce the devastating impact of tobacco use in Western Australia and Australia. It requires all tiers of government to work together to implement an evidence-based, comprehensive approach. We also must continue to protect tobacco control efforts from tobacco industry interference.
Challenges and opportunities for tobacco control in Australia: A qualitative study
An infographic summarising a recent study by Dr Jongenelis helps inform policymakers, practitioners, and the general public on the current situation of tobacco and nicotine-related policy and practice in Australia.
'Dispelling the smoke to reflect the mirror': the time is now to eliminate tobacco related harms
A recent commentary highlights the opportunity Australia has for a “smoke-free future” and nicotine-free generations. Maddox et al. outline some key learnings for Australia to incorporate, including:
- Embedding Indigenous governance and leadership
- Reducing the number of retail outlets
- Regulating tobacco products to make them less attractive and addictive
- Phasing out the legal sale of cigarettes to kick-start the nicotine-free generation
Latest articles you may have missed:
- Undermining Australian controls on electronic nicotine delivery systems: illicit imports and illegal sales Anita Dessaix, Elizabeth Jardine, Becky Freeman and Caitlin Kameron.
- Risk and safety profile of electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS): an umbrella review to inform ENDS health communication strategies Taghrid Asfar, Rime Jebai, Wei Li et al.
- Tobacco mythbusting—tobacco is not a major driver of foot traffic in low socio-economic small retail stores Lisa Wood, Angela Gazey
- Towards tobacco-free retailers: feasibility of an intervention encouraging retailers to stop selling tobacco in Tasmania Abby L Smith, Seema Mihrshahi, Veronica A Martin-Gall et al.
Awards and recognition
Thank you to all our tobacco control colleagues for their outstanding contributions and achievements in the field!
Special congratulations to:
Prof. Emily Banks (AM) who won ACOSH’s Dr. Bob Elphick Award for her enormous contribution to research, particularly on e-cigarettes and the cardiovascular health effects of smoking in Australia. She was also one of five Australian National University researchers to win the National Health and Medical Research Council Investigator Grant scheme. Prof. Banks and her team will receive more than $2.9 million to drive improved tobacco and e-cigarette control and provide new insights into cardiovascular disease prevention.
Prof. Tom Calma (AO FAA) for being awarded the ACT Senior Australian of the Year. Prof. Calma was instrumental in establishing the National Congress of Australia’s First Peoples; has led the Tackling Indigenous Smoking program; co-chaired Reconciliation Australia for over a decade; and co-led the co-design of a Voice to Parliament initiative.
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Make Smoking History produces three different communications throughout the year:
- Tobacco Toolbox - this includes tobacco control news, reports and resources.
- Campaign Update - learn more about upcoming mass media campaigns.
- Make Smoking History For Everyone e-news - this includes updates for the community and health services sector.
If you would like to subscribe to one or more, email MakeSmokingHistory@cancerwa.asn.au.
