Tobacco control
Why invest in tobacco control?
VicHealth was established in 1987 with a tax on tobacco, pledged as part of the Victorian Tobacco Act of that year.
Reducing smoking remains the No. 1 priority for VicHealth. The reason is simple: it’s the biggest cause of death and disease in Australia. And it can be reduced best through effective health promotion strategies.
Tobacco control has worked with men and women from all socio-economic groups. Rates are half what they were in 1987 when VicHealth began – down from 34% to 17% of Victorian adults regularly smoking. In fact, tobacco control has been one of the best, if not the best buy in health over the last 30 years. More facts & stats on smoking.
As well as funding cessation programs, VicHealth is involved in legal and regulatory reform, and supports innovative research in tobacco control.
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Tobacco reforms
New tobacco laws took effect in Victoria from 1 March 2006. Nationally, new graphic warnings now appear on all cigarette packs.
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Research and regulation
VicHealth funds the VicHealth Centre for Tobacco Control, which conducts innovative research in tobacco control and undertakes policy development designed to advance tobacco control efforts across Australia.
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Useful links
Links to external websites.
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Quit campaign
VicHealth is the principal funder of Quit.
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Smokefree environments
VicHealth has a long history of working with sport and the arts to promote the smokefree message and to create smokefree environments.