Health Minister Mark Butler pledges tougher regulations in the next phase of efforts to reduce smoking rates across the country

In a bold step to combat Australia’s smoking epidemic, Health Minister Mark Butler has unveiled a series of new measures aimed at making cigarettes even less appealing. The Albanese government’s renewed efforts seek to take tobacco control to the next level, further reducing smoking rates and preventing a new generation from picking up the habit.

Speaking at a press conference earlier this week, Butler outlined the government’s commitment to “making cigarettes as unattractive as possible,” emphasising that the next phase of tobacco control would focus on tougher regulations to discourage smokers and protect public health. The announcement comes as part of an ongoing government initiative to reduce smoking rates, which have dropped significantly over the past decade but remain a serious public health issue.

Butler’s comments were aimed at addressing the stubbornly high rates of smoking, particularly among certain groups, despite years of successful anti-smoking campaigns. The government has set an ambitious target to reduce smoking prevalence to under 5% by 2030, and Butler’s latest pledge is a key part of achieving this goal.

“We’ve already made significant strides in cutting smoking rates, but the work is far from over,” Butler said. “It’s time to make smoking even less socially acceptable, and we’re going to continue with that approach in the next phase. Our objective is to eliminate the appeal of smoking for all Australians, especially the younger generations.”

The next steps in the government’s strategy include further restrictions on cigarette packaging, possibly introducing new plain packaging measures to remove any branding or logos that could make the products more attractive. The government is also considering expanding the scope of cigarette advertising bans and introducing higher taxes on tobacco products.

Additionally, stricter regulations will be placed on the sale and marketing of e-cigarettes, which have grown in popularity as an alternative to traditional cigarettes. Experts warn that while e-cigarettes are considered less harmful than smoking, they are still a significant health risk, particularly when used by young people.

These upcoming measures are expected to face resistance from the tobacco industry, which has long lobbied against stricter regulations. However, the government is committed to pushing forward with its plans, citing the overwhelming evidence of the health risks associated with smoking.

Butler pointed out that smoking remains the leading preventable cause of death in Australia, contributing to a range of serious health conditions including lung cancer, heart disease, and respiratory illnesses. Despite significant public health campaigns and smoking cessation programs, nearly 2.5 million Australians still smoke, with the rates higher in some disadvantaged communities.

The new initiative has been welcomed by health advocates and organisations such as Cancer Council Australia, who have long called for stronger tobacco control measures. “The Albanese government’s commitment to tackling smoking head-on is a significant step in protecting the health of Australians,” said a spokesperson for Cancer Council Australia. “We know that tougher regulations work, and these latest measures will go a long way in saving lives.”

The government has also signalled that it will ramp up public education campaigns, focusing on the dangers of smoking and encouraging smokers to quit. The ongoing success of Australia’s smoking cessation programs, including free support services, will also be integral to the next phase of the plan.

However, experts warn that for these measures to be truly effective, a comprehensive, multi-faceted approach is needed. This includes continued support for people who want to quit, as well as ensuring that smoking remains a taboo in society.

Mark Butler remains optimistic that with these strengthened efforts, Australia can achieve its goal of becoming one of the first countries in the world to virtually eliminate smoking. “We’ve made great progress, but we can’t rest on our laurels. There’s still much work to be done.”

As the government ramps up its tobacco control efforts, Australians are set to see significant changes in the availability and appeal of cigarettes, marking a new chapter in the nation’s fight against smoking-related illness.