First of all, I have to admit that I used to be a smoker. Yes, I was one of those people who just couldn’t resist the allure of a cigarette. But now, having lived in Australia for a few years, I have come to realize the true impact of cigarettes on our health and our society. So, in this article, I want to talk about cigarettes in the context of Australia and how this country is dealing with the issue. But before we begin, let me mention that you can find a wide range of cigarettes in Australia at cigarettes australia, so if you’re a smoker, be sure to check it out.
When it comes to cigarettes, Australia has a long history of regulating and controlling their use. In fact, the country introduced the world’s first ever plain packaging laws for cigarettes in 2012. This means that all tobacco products must be sold in plain, olive green packaging with graphic health warnings covering 75% of the front and 90% of the back of the packaging. This measure was taken in order to decrease the attractiveness of cigarettes, especially to minors, and to increase the effectiveness of health warnings.
But the regulations don’t stop there. In Australia, tobacco advertising and sponsorship is completely banned, and smoking in enclosed public places, such as restaurants and workplaces, is prohibited. There are also strict restrictions on where cigarettes can be sold, with most states banning their sale in supermarkets and only allowing them to be sold in specialty tobacco shops. These regulations have had a significant impact on the prevalence of smoking in Australia, which has dropped from 22.3% in 2001 to 14.5% in 2017.
Aside from regulations, the Australian government has also implemented a number of initiatives to encourage smokers to quit. These include providing free or subsidized nicotine replacement therapy, such as patches and gum, and running anti-smoking campaigns. One of the most well-known campaigns is the “Quit Now” campaign, which has been running since 1988 and has been credited with contributing to the decrease in smoking rates in the country.
But despite these efforts, smoking is still a major issue in Australia. According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, smoking remains the largest preventable cause of disease and death in the country, accounting for 9.5% of the total burden of disease in 2015. And while the overall smoking rates have decreased, there are certain groups who still have high rates of smoking, such as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people from low socioeconomic backgrounds, and those with mental health issues.
One major reason for the high rates of smoking in these groups is the affordability of cigarettes. In Australia, a pack of cigarettes can cost up to $40 and the government continues to implement yearly tax increases in order to make cigarettes less affordable. However, some argue that these increases only make the poor, who are more likely to be smokers, even worse off. In addition, there is also a thriving black market for cigarettes, where smuggled or counterfeit products can be purchased at lower prices.
Another issue that is often brought up in the context of cigarettes in Australia is the rising popularity of e-cigarettes, or vapes. While these products are marketed as a safer alternative to traditional cigarettes, there is still much debate around their long-term health effects. E-cigarettes are currently regulated as general consumer products in Australia and cannot be sold with nicotine, although consumers can import small quantities of nicotine for personal use. However, there are calls for stricter regulations and more research to be done on the safety of e-cigarettes.
In conclusion, cigarettes continue to be a major health and social issue in Australia. The country has taken significant steps to control and decrease smoking rates through regulations and initiatives, but there is still more work to be done. As a former smoker, I know how difficult it can be to quit, but with the right support and information, it is possible. So, if you’re a smoker, I urge you to consider the impact of cigarettes not only on your own health, but also on the health of those around you and our society as a whole.