Two Tasmanian health organisations have raised concerns about changes to anti-tobacco campaign funding, while the state government maintains its commitment to prevention remains strong through other investments.
Quit Tasmania and the Cancer Council have described the 50% reduction in funding as a “devastating blow” that comes at a time when 60,000 Tasmanians still smoke.
Quit Tasmania Director Abby Smith believes the cuts could cost lives and billions of dollars.
The groups say smoking costs Tasmanians $1 billion a year in healthcare, lost workforce and premature deaths.
“Smoking is still a leading cause of preventable death and disease in Tasmania, with about 60,000 Tasmanians who smoke and 2 in 3 people who smoke dying from a tobacco-related disease,” Smith said.
“We also aren’t out of the youth vaping crisis just yet and know that young people who vape are 5 times more likely to start smoking.”
Cancer Council Tasmania CEO Alison Lai noted what she sees as a contradiction between reducing prevention funding while increasing overall health spending to $10 million daily.
“These are diseases that are largely preventable and cutting the very programs that are designed to prevent them and keep people out of hospital, seems illogical,” she said.
Premier Jeremy Rockliff on Monday said the “one-off program” by Quit Tasmania had reached its natural conclusion.
“We’re investing enormously into our mental health and well-being sector including alcohol and tobacco prevention,” he said.
