The Department of Health marked World No Tobacco Day earlier this week (Monday 31 May), adding its voice to raise awareness about the dangers of tobacco use and exposure.
The Department said World No Tobacco Day highlighted national and global efforts to fight the tobacco epidemic and protect future generations from its harmful effects.
“There is growing evidence that smokers are more likely to develop severe COVID-19 disease if they become infected,” the Department said.
“This has triggered millions of smokers world-wide to want to quit tobacco, inspiring this year’s theme for World No Tobacco Day, Commit to Quit.”
It said tobacco use remained the leading cause of preventable death and disability in Australia, estimated to kill more than 20,000 Australians each year.
Minister for Health and Aged Care, Greg Hunt used the day to announce a package of new measures to support smoking cessation and treat nicotine dependence.
Mr Hunt said the Government was allocating $3 million through Cancer Council Victoria towards a new national best practice support service for nicotine cessation to ensure health professionals had up-to-date evidence-based resources.
“Additional initiatives in the Budget aimed at encouraging people to quit smoking include the expansion of telehealth and face-to-face services to support patients’ access to general practitioner consultations,” Mr Hunt said.
“Research shows having the support of a health professional greatly improves a smoker’s chances of successfully quitting.”
World No Tobacco Day is an initiative of the World Health Organisation and has been celebrated on 31 May since 1988.
