Tobacco in Australia—An Overview

Abstract

Tobacco smoking is the largest preventable cause of death and disease in Australia, and the major cause of drug death. Under a third of adults smoke, male rates having declined significantly following the Second World War. The publication of international reports during the 1960s causally linking tobacco with death and disease stimulated action by Australian health professionals, although governments remained unresponsive. In the 1970s, advertising bans in the broadcast media were introduced, but quickly circumvented by the tobacco companies through sport sponsorships. However, the 1980s brought increased public awareness about health issues, and legislation concerning advertising restrictions and other aspects of tobacco control. Importantly, unequivocal evidence about the effects of passive smoking also become available in this decade, signalling a battle between public health interests and the tobacco industry, which the industry can now be said to have lost. Although consumption and disease rates are falling, priority areas for action still remain.