Smoking falls to historic low but challenges remain

The percentage of Australians who smoke has fallen once again, but while the country’s comprehensive tobacco control measures are delivering results, the widespread availability of illegal imports and vapes continues to pose a health hazard.

Behind the smokescreen

Smoking still kills 24,000 Australians every year, but vigorous lobbying and large political donations from the companies which profit from it mean that more stringent public health measures to stamp it out are few and far between.

Shut the shops to quit the habit

Four of Australia’s leading tobacco experts have called for Australia to slash the number of cigarette retailers to help drive down smoking rates, while also tackling illicit tobacco.

Higher fees could reduce tobacco outlets

Significantly increasing the licensing fees for tobacco retailers is an effective way to reduce the number of shops selling tobacco and should be considered again, according to Australian researchers.

Seeing through the smokescreen

The big tobacco companies denied the deadly impact of their products for decades, and are now trying to rehabilitate their image while still killing millions of people around the world every year.

Stubbing out smoking in New Zealand

New Zealand’s radical plan to eliminate smoking is being opposed by the manufacturers and retailers who profit from the deaths of others, but their self-interested bleating isn’t backed by the facts.

Smoke gets in your eyes

Smoking kills millions of people every year, as well as nauseating non-smokers and filling drains with discarded butts, so the big tobacco manufacturers are trying to improve their image with a series of empty environmental stunts and initiatives.

$136 billion goes ‘up in smoke’ every year

Fewer Australians are smoking, but the habit still costs the community at least $136.9 billion a year, according to a research report released by the National Drug Research Institute.

Smoking is so yesterday

Women face a number of additional medical issues if they smoke, and quitting is by far the single most effective step anyone can take to improve their health.