New laws to reduce smoking and vaping rates

Cancer Council SA has a proud history of working with the community to reduce smoking rates over the past 40 years. That’s why we’re so pleased to see the release of new Federal and South Australian Government Tobacco Control Strategies which aim to significantly reduce smoking rates.

Smoking is the single largest cause of preventable death and disease in our community and can cause 16 different types of cancer.

Last month, the South Australian Government announced their new South Australian Tobacco Control Strategy, which aims to protect community members from exposure to second-hand smoking and vaping by implementing bans in a range of outdoor public spaces.

This was followed by the release of the Federal Government’s National Tobacco Strategy this month which outlines a range of critical tobacco control measures to reduce smoking rates across the country, including policies to both discourage people from starting smoking whilst best supporting individuals to successfully quit for good.

With 8.2 per cent of South Australian adults smoking daily, the new South Australian strategy aims to drive down smoking rates to a national low of below 6 per cent by 2027. While nationally the strategy aims to reduce smoking rates to below 5 per cent or less by 2030.

Cancer Council SA Prevention and Advocacy Manager Christine Morris says that Cancer Council SA is excited to partner with Drug and Alcohol Services SA to implement the actions set out in the strategies.

“Cancer Council SA supports the state and national tobacco control strategies which will work to curb both tobacco smoking and e-cigarette use in South Australia and nationally,” Christine says.

“We welcome community consultation to expand smoke-free policies, including policies that include vaping into smoke-free areas.”

“We know that young people who vape are around three times more likely to take up smoking than non-vapers so we welcome these changes that will protect young South Australians from future risk of nicotine addiction.”

“There are over 200 chemicals in a standard e-cigarette which are linked to detrimental health impacts so it’s really encouraging to see the government take tangible steps to ban e-cigarette use in line with smoking restrictions.”

The strategy compliments Cancer Council SA’s Tackling Tobacco Program, which works with community service organisations to support clients who identify as Aboriginal or living with a disability or mental illness to quit smoking.

If you need support to quit smoking or vaping, contact the Quitline on 13 7848.