Tobacco smoking is the leading cause of preventable disease and death in NSW accounting for around 5,300 deaths and 46,000 hospitalisations a year. Smoking greatly increases the risk of many cancers and is a major cause of heart disease. Exposure to second-hand tobacco smoke results in adverse health effects including the increased risk of asthma in children.
The 2013 NSW Population Health survey shows 16.4% of all adults in NSW smoke compared with 18.8% of adults in SWSLHD but there are less smoke-free households in SWSLHD (91%) than in NSW as a whole (93.1%).
Tobacco control in NSW has seen the introduction of many policies to reduce exposure to tobacco smoke including:
2000 - Smoking banned inside restaurants and cafes
2007 - Smoke-free enclosed public places in pubs, clubs, nightclubs and the casino (except private gaming areas)
2009 - Ban on smoking in cars with children
2010 - Point of sale reforms including tobacco display ban
2012- NSW Tobacco Legislation Amendment Bill passes Parliament- smoking prohibitions in public outdoor places
2015 - Will see the introduction of smoke-free commercial outdoor dining.
Tobacco initiatives in SWSLHD are guided by the NSW Tobacco Strategy 2012 - 2017 and we are committed to contributing to a decrease in the incidence of smoking-related disease in the population of SWSLHD.
The Health Promotion Service currently has a focus on reducing the smoking prevalence with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community www.iquitbecause.org.au and working with Aboriginal pregnant women or women who identify as being pregnant with an Aboriginal baby - Quit for New Life.
As well as working locally the team are involved in the support of National Initiatives.
For further information on Quit Smoking you can contact the Quitline on 13 78 48 (13 QUIT) or check out the Cancer Institute's quit smoking support website http://www.icanquit.com.au/
Did you know?
Arabic: 1300 7848 03
Chinese (Cantonese and Mandarin): 1300 7848 36
Vietnamese: 1300 7848 65
Messages can also be left in Korean on 1300 7848 23
Contact the Multicultural Health Communication Service for quitting information in other languages.
More information
Contact Natasha McEwan on 02 4640 3544 or email on Natasha.McEwan@sswahs.nsw.gov.au