Asia Pacific Advocates Call for Change in Tobacco Policy
Urgent Change Needed in Tobacco Control Policies
The Coalition of Asia Pacific Tobacco Harm Reduction Advocates (CAPHRA) is voicing strong concerns regarding the current state of tobacco control strategies in Australia. With over 125 fire bombings recorded, a staggering A$6.3 billion illicit tobacco market has emerged, and smoking rates remain stagnant at 11%. In light of the upcoming Asia Forum on Nicotine (AFN25), advocates are urging strategic change.
The Current State of Tobacco Control in Australia
CAPHRA Executive Coordinator, Nancy Loucas, highlights the failures of Australia's approach. Despite attempts to curb smoking through high prices on cigarettes, the results have been alarming. "Australia's tobacco policy doesn't pass the pub test," she noted, emphasizing that inflated cigarette costs have not deterred smokers but rather enriched criminal enterprises, escalating a national security issue.
Consequences of Prohibitionist Approaches
Australia's prohibitionist measures have triggered significant unintended consequences. The country has imposed the highest tobacco taxes globally, where prices reach up to A$50 per pack. Consequently, adult smoking rates have flatlined since 2019, allowing criminal syndicates to seize about 50% of the market, accumulating A$2.3 billion per year while fueling violent conflicts.
Lessons from New Zealand
In stark contrast, New Zealand's adoption of evidence-based harm reduction strategies has successfully reduced adult smoking rates from 15.1% in 2018 to 6.9% by 2024, marking a remarkable decline. This success underscores the effectiveness of pragmatic policies in tackling smoking.
The Significance of the Asia Forum on Nicotine (AFN25)
The Asia Forum on Nicotine, scheduled for August 27, is seen as a pivotal opportunity for advocating tobacco harm reduction in the Asia-Pacific region. Led by Nancy Loucas, the conference aims to engage regional experts to discuss the challenges faced by a region that is home to over half of the world's smokers.
Advocating for Evidence-Based Policies
"AFN25 is crucial for Asia's future. We cannot allow Australia's failed approach to dominate our region. Instead, we must present evidence-based policies that can save countless lives," Loucas declared.
Confronting WHO Ideologies
The upcoming forum will lay bare the differences between Australia's current tobacco situation and Asia's potential for effective harm reduction. Loucas urges against allowing restrictive World Health Organization ideologies to keep another generation of smokers at risk.
A Call for Global Change
With an estimated 8 million deaths caused by tobacco annually, the ideological opposition to effective harm reduction strategies poses a significant public health concern. The AFN25 is free to attend and will be available for global livestreaming, offering a platform for innovative discussions on tobacco harm reduction.
Contact Information
For further inquiries, Nancy Loucas can be reached at neloucas@gmail.com.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CAPHRA?
The Coalition of Asia Pacific Tobacco Harm Reduction Advocates works to promote effective tobacco harm reduction policies in the Asia-Pacific region.
What issues have arisen in Australia's tobacco control strategies?
Australia has faced chaos with a thriving illicit market, firebombings, stagnating smoking rates, and an increase in criminal activity related to tobacco control.
How successful has New Zealand's tobacco policy been?
New Zealand has successfully reduced its smoking rates significantly by adopting evidence-based harm reduction strategies.
What is the Asia Forum on Nicotine (AFN25)?
AFN25 is a conference aimed at discussing tobacco harm reduction in the Asia-Pacific region, featuring leading experts in the field.
Why is AFN25 important for Asia?
AFN25 presents an opportunity to explore evidence-based solutions to tobacco use, helping to prevent the spread of ineffective policies based on ideology rather than evidence.
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