Amanda Rishworth (Kingston, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Health) Share this | Hansard source

I rise to speak on the Excise Tariff Amendment (Tobacco) Bill 2014 and the Customs Tariff Amendment (Tobacco) Bill 2014. I think it is very important that we have in this place a debate about prevention and particularly about the prevention of tobacco related diseases, because it is estimated that over 15,000 people die each year from smoking related illness. It is really important to recognise that the suffering that goes along with that, not just through the deaths and through the suffering of families but also in the diseases themselves, such as cancer and cardiovascular diseases that are exacerbated by tobacco, is preventable. We can try and prevent some of this suffering by really focusing on prevention.

I am very pleased about the focus that we in the previous government had on prevention. I have to say that I was very, very proud to stand in this parliament and pass legislation that led to plain packaging. That saw a world-leading tobacco control measure brought in here in Australia. I have to take this opportunity to note that it was not welcomed by every member of this House. I remember the fierce debate that ensued, but we are now seeing the early benefits of this.

As to some of the benefits, researchers at the University of Sydney found, as published in the Medical Journal of Australia, that calls to the stop smoking Quitline rose by 78 per cent following the appearance of plain packaging. While they found it difficult to distinguish whether it was the olive-green package or the big new anti-tobacco advertising, we did see a lot more people looking at taking that important step. Indeed, research by Cancer Council Victoria's Professor Melanie Wakefield, published in the British Medical Journal in July 2013, found that plain packs reduce the appeal of smoking and increase smokers' thoughts about quitting.

I remember that in that debate the then health minister, Nicola Roxon, made a very strong argument that we needed to reduce the appeal for young people of taking up smoking. We are now seeing the evidence coming through that indeed there is less appeal in taking up smoking with the plain packaging that was brought in. So I am very proud, and I would like to join the shadow minister for health in commending both Nicola Roxon and the member for Sydney for pursuing this landmark reform. It is something that I think we will reflect on in many years to come as having an effect in reducing tobacco related illness.

Of course, there is no silver bullet for reducing tobacco related illness. Part of the package is an increase in tobacco excise but also an increase in antismoking social-marketing campaigns, which was also part of the package brought in by the previous government.

Importantly, I think one issue did get missed a little bit in the public discussion but was not lost on electors in my electorate, and that was the listing of nicotine replacement therapies on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme. I remember very clearly a number of people coming up to me in the shopping centres. One lady in particular at Seaford shopping centre said, 'Now that it's been listed and now that they are subsidised, I've been able to afford to get nicotine patches.' She was a cleaner at the Seaford shopping centre, and for the first time she was able to attempt quitting. One thing we know is that tobacco addiction is significant. Nicotine addiction is significant. So making this accessible to people who had not been able to access it before actually made a difference to people's lives out there in the community. I certainly very much supported that move, and I think it will continue to make a difference.

Also, I must recognise the investment that the former government made in support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities to reduce their smoking rates. We see much higher smoking rates in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. Indeed, the $14.5 million Indigenous Tobacco Control Initiative, which funded innovative tobacco control projects in 18 Indigenous communities, was an important contribution in reducing smoking rates.

So there is a wide range of evidence—and I realise that I have limited time here—that there is no silver bullet, but some of the things that Labor in government put in place are starting to make a difference. I am pleased to see that the coalition, despite a lot of argument while in opposition, are now coming to the party. I hope that this will continue. I hope that this is not the only step in tobacco control and preventative measures when it comes to smoking related illness. I hope that this is just the start and that they will pursue and continue the things that Labor did in government.

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