Evidence-based tobacco control reforms need urgent investment, but the distraction of e-cigarettes is slowing progress and diverting resources away from decades of proven efforts, according to a new Australian study published in the Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health.
For Challenges and opportunities for tobacco control in Australia: a qualitative study*, lead investigator Dr Michelle Jongenelis interviewed 31 experts, including tobacco control advocates, researchers, public servants, and health practitioners. Tobacco industry interference, lack of government investment, and a misperception that tobacco control is 'done' were hampering efforts to reduce smoking rates, the experts added.
"To achieve Australia's goal of reducing smoking prevalence to less than 5% by 2030 and ease tobacco's considerable burden on the health system, we need to invest in what works," said Dr Jongenelis, who is a committee member of the Public Health Association of Australia's Health Promotion Special Interest Group.
"The experts I interviewed called for strengthened tobacco control measures that meet Australia's obligations under the World Health Organization's Framework Convention on Tobacco Control."
"Despite evidence that hard-hitting mass media campaigns on tobacco harms are crucial in reducing smoking prevalence, Australia's investment in such campaigns is below standard and has decreased significantly. Greater investment in these campaigns is urgently needed," the University of Melbourne-based scholar added.
"The experts called for an evidence-based national cessation strategy featuring robust and accessible clinical guidelines that ensure all smokers are offered evidence-based support to quit. Working with priority populations to develop, implement, and evaluate these tobacco control measures is also crucial to ensure they are socially and culturally appropriate."
Other priorities included minimising the appeal of tobacco products, an expansion of smoke-free areas, and the introduction of positive licensing schemes across Australia.
Dr Jongenelis cautioned, however, that reforms must be protected from vested interests.
"We are fighting a powerful tobacco industry that continues to interfere with smoking reduction efforts. They claim to desire a smoke-free world, but this is simply an attempt to legitimise their activities while they continue to spend billions promoting tobacco cigarettes. They are exploiting loopholes in our legislation and lobbying policy-makers to soften laws so they can continue to sell a product that kills millions worldwide every year."
"We've had enough of their tactics".
