VIC wins AMA Dirty Ashtray Award, needs to do more

Victoria has been awarded the 2012 Dirty Ashtray Award for its failure to act on proven tobacco control activities.

Ahead of World No Tobacco Day on 31 May, AMA President, Dr Steve Hambleton, announced results of the AMA/Australian Council on Smoking and Health (ACOSH) /Action on Smoking and Health (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 that it was disappointing that Victoria is falling behind the rest of the country when it comes to tobacco control.

“Victoria has historically been one of the nation’s tobacco control leaders.

“It is especially disappointing that this year Victoria has been ranked last to earn the Dirty Ashtray Award.

“Victoria is the only Government without either State-wide bans on smoking in outdoor dining areas, or a commitment to their introduction, and Victoria still does not have a tobacco licensing program.

“While Victoria has bans on smoking at underage dance and music events, and at covered areas of bus, tram and transport stops, there is no policy on smoking at public hospitals and health facilities.

“The Victorian Government also accepts donations from the tobacco industry.”

(Source: AMA)