SA winning the war against tobacco and AMA award

South Australia has been commended for its improvements in tobacco control legislation and investment by taking out top honours on the AMA/Australian Council on Smoking and Health (ACOSH) /Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) National Tobacco Scoreboard.

Ahead of World No Tobacco Day on 31 May, AMA President, Dr Steve Hambleton, announced results of the AMA/ACOSH/ASH National Tobacco Scoreboard.

The National Tobacco Scoreboard Award goes to the State or Territory Government that has been the most effective in tobacco control over the past year, and the Dirty Ashtray Award goes to the Government that has been least effective.

The Scoreboard allocates points to each State and Territory in various categories, including legislation, to track how effective governments have been in combating smoking in the preceding year.

Dr Hambleton said South Australia has made outstanding progress in recent years and merits high commendation for its improvements in tobacco control legislation and investment.

“The South Australian Government deserves praise for its commitment to tobacco control, and for following up its words with action,” Dr Hambleton said.

“Legislation to be introduced on World No Tobacco Day, 31 May 2012, will prohibit smoking within ten metres of children’s public playground equipment, in under-cover public transport waiting areas, and will give local governments the power to declare outdoor areas or events smoke-free.”

(Source: AMA)