Lung foundation calls for supermarkets to be banned from selling tobacco
The foundation has floated the ban as a means to stop smokers being tempted to buy a pack or a pouch alongside their groceries.
'We need everyone from government to big corporations to put the lung health of Australians ahead of profits from a product that kills 66 Australians daily,' foundation chief executive Mark Brooke said.
'Previous news reports have highlighted Coles estimates their cigarette sales each year is enough to kill more than 1600 Australians and cause tobacco-related medical costs of more than $300m a year.'
Former smoker Sarah Waters has joined the campaign for cigarettes to be banned from supermarkets.
Ms Waters started smoking aged 13, and continued for nearly 30 years.
'It isn't easy to quit but not being able to buy cigarettes so easily would have made a big difference. When I started smoking there was no age limits in place, and they were marketed to young people as being cool.'
Prince Charles Hospital thoracic physician Henry Marshall said nicotine is as addictive as heroin.
'The difference is you can't buy heroin with your weekly shopping.'
'It is hard to fight an addiction while also being able to buy tobacco products so easily.'
Professor Marshall has thrown his voice behind the lung foundation's calls for a ban.
'People who smoke deserve more help from health professionals and the government,' he said.
'I would like to see people demand action from the multinational tobacco companies who have known smoking causes lung cancer since before 1954 and continued to sell products to make profit off Australians. It is time we said, 'enough is enough'.'
The Lung Foundation is calling for the government to ban supermarkets from selling tobacco products.
In response, Coles said in a statement it is providing smokers with a legal way to obtain tobacco.
'Coles complies with all Commonwealth, State and Territory laws aimed at minimising the negative health effects of tobacco use, however we recognise the need to provide choice to those customers who wish to purchase these products legally,' a spokesperson told NewsWire.
Woolworths has been approached for comment.
Earlier this year, IGA reported it had lost $150m of revenue over three years, as tobacco black market sales skyrocketed across the country.
Australians have comprehensively turned to the black market for cigarettes and tobacco, as the tax on legal smokes becomes unaffordable.
The taxes the federal government takes from tobacco have plummeted from $16.3bn five years ago, to $7.4bn this year.
Smoking rates have fallen from 20 per cent of the population in 2001, to about 8 per cent now, the latest government data shows.
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The Advertiser
10 hours ago
- The Advertiser
'Now I can help': Newcastle councillor welcomes Lifeblood changes to donation rules
GROWING up, Newcastle Labor councillor Declan Clausen heard Lifeblood's calls for donors. As a gay man, he wasn't allowed to help. "Not because my blood wasn't safe, but because of outdated rules rooted in stereotypes and stigma," he said. "Being denied the opportunity to help others in need has always felt deeply unfair." As of this week, he can make his first plasma donation after Australian Red Cross Lifeblood removed most sexual activity wait times for life-saving plasma donations. The change means many gay and bisexual men, transgender people, sex workers, and people on pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) can now help save lives. For decades, donor rules prevented many people from the LGBTQIA+ and sex worker communities from donating plasma if they had sex within the past three months. Cr Clausen has long championed reform, and said the changes introduced this week were a major step forward. "I've always believed that blood donation policies should be based on actual risk, not outdated assumptions tied to identity," he said. "They [the changes] recognise the science, and will finally allow thousands of Australians, including me, to contribute." Plasma, the "liquid gold" part of blood, is the donation type most needed by Australian patients, with treatment for more than 50 medical conditions reliant on its supply. In Newcastle and Maitland alone, about 100 plasma donors are still needed every day, seven days a week. Newcastle Pride committee member Krys Sutton has been in a long-term, committed relationship. Mr Sutton said he was disappointed he could not donate when Lifeblood put the call out, and expected it would take time for trust to be rebuilt with the LGBTQIA+ community. "I think it's something that everyone should do because they can, and it's free," he said. "Once the legislation changes [around blood donations], we can come through and do this, be part of the community and give back. I think that's really important." The new rules mean about 625,000 Australians may become eligible to donate plasma, and Lifeblood expects about 95,000 extra plasma donations will be made each year. The changes mean those on PrEP will become the first in the world to donate plasma without a wait period. Cr Clausen said what made Australia's system particularly special was that it relied on the generosity of voluntary, unpaid donors. "The need is real, and now that I'm eligible, I'm proud to help," he said. "Once the broader changes to blood donation rules come into effect next year, I absolutely intend to donate blood too. "Donating blood and plasma to help save lives shouldn't depend on who you love. It should depend only on whether you're healthy and willing to give." Over the next 12 months, Lifeblood estimates an extra 24,000 donors will give plasma. Lifeblood chief executive officer Stephen Cornelissen said patient safety would always be Lifeblood's top priority, and that extensive research and modelling had shown the changes can be implemented without compromising the safety of Australia's blood supply. "While the rules were put in place to ensure a safe blood supply in the past, we know they have contributed to the stigma faced by many and hope today will be a turning point for Lifeblood and the LGBTQIA+ community and that people will feel welcome to come forward to donate their life-saving plasma," he said. Lifeblood has made changes to blood and platelets donation eligibility, with the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) recently approving a submission to remove gender-based sexual activity rules. The changes, known as gender-neutral assessments, are expected to be introduced next year. Once implemented, all donors will be asked the same questions about sexual activity, regardless of gender or sexuality, and most people in a sexual relationship of six months or more with a single partner will be eligible to donate blood. Lifeblood's chief medical officer, Jo Pink, said its submission to change rules for blood donation included data that showed, for now, a six-month wait was the safest option for Australian patients. Dr Pink said Lifeblood was committed to reviewing the wait as more evidence became available. "There are many steps that Lifeblood needs to take before we can implement the new gender-neutral assessments, including working with state and territory governments to change the donor questionnaire," she said. "We hope to be able to implement this part of the changes next year." To book a donation call 13 14 95, visit or download the Donate Blood App. GROWING up, Newcastle Labor councillor Declan Clausen heard Lifeblood's calls for donors. As a gay man, he wasn't allowed to help. "Not because my blood wasn't safe, but because of outdated rules rooted in stereotypes and stigma," he said. "Being denied the opportunity to help others in need has always felt deeply unfair." As of this week, he can make his first plasma donation after Australian Red Cross Lifeblood removed most sexual activity wait times for life-saving plasma donations. The change means many gay and bisexual men, transgender people, sex workers, and people on pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) can now help save lives. For decades, donor rules prevented many people from the LGBTQIA+ and sex worker communities from donating plasma if they had sex within the past three months. Cr Clausen has long championed reform, and said the changes introduced this week were a major step forward. "I've always believed that blood donation policies should be based on actual risk, not outdated assumptions tied to identity," he said. "They [the changes] recognise the science, and will finally allow thousands of Australians, including me, to contribute." Plasma, the "liquid gold" part of blood, is the donation type most needed by Australian patients, with treatment for more than 50 medical conditions reliant on its supply. In Newcastle and Maitland alone, about 100 plasma donors are still needed every day, seven days a week. Newcastle Pride committee member Krys Sutton has been in a long-term, committed relationship. Mr Sutton said he was disappointed he could not donate when Lifeblood put the call out, and expected it would take time for trust to be rebuilt with the LGBTQIA+ community. "I think it's something that everyone should do because they can, and it's free," he said. "Once the legislation changes [around blood donations], we can come through and do this, be part of the community and give back. I think that's really important." The new rules mean about 625,000 Australians may become eligible to donate plasma, and Lifeblood expects about 95,000 extra plasma donations will be made each year. The changes mean those on PrEP will become the first in the world to donate plasma without a wait period. Cr Clausen said what made Australia's system particularly special was that it relied on the generosity of voluntary, unpaid donors. "The need is real, and now that I'm eligible, I'm proud to help," he said. "Once the broader changes to blood donation rules come into effect next year, I absolutely intend to donate blood too. "Donating blood and plasma to help save lives shouldn't depend on who you love. It should depend only on whether you're healthy and willing to give." Over the next 12 months, Lifeblood estimates an extra 24,000 donors will give plasma. Lifeblood chief executive officer Stephen Cornelissen said patient safety would always be Lifeblood's top priority, and that extensive research and modelling had shown the changes can be implemented without compromising the safety of Australia's blood supply. "While the rules were put in place to ensure a safe blood supply in the past, we know they have contributed to the stigma faced by many and hope today will be a turning point for Lifeblood and the LGBTQIA+ community and that people will feel welcome to come forward to donate their life-saving plasma," he said. Lifeblood has made changes to blood and platelets donation eligibility, with the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) recently approving a submission to remove gender-based sexual activity rules. The changes, known as gender-neutral assessments, are expected to be introduced next year. Once implemented, all donors will be asked the same questions about sexual activity, regardless of gender or sexuality, and most people in a sexual relationship of six months or more with a single partner will be eligible to donate blood. Lifeblood's chief medical officer, Jo Pink, said its submission to change rules for blood donation included data that showed, for now, a six-month wait was the safest option for Australian patients. Dr Pink said Lifeblood was committed to reviewing the wait as more evidence became available. "There are many steps that Lifeblood needs to take before we can implement the new gender-neutral assessments, including working with state and territory governments to change the donor questionnaire," she said. "We hope to be able to implement this part of the changes next year." To book a donation call 13 14 95, visit or download the Donate Blood App. GROWING up, Newcastle Labor councillor Declan Clausen heard Lifeblood's calls for donors. As a gay man, he wasn't allowed to help. "Not because my blood wasn't safe, but because of outdated rules rooted in stereotypes and stigma," he said. "Being denied the opportunity to help others in need has always felt deeply unfair." As of this week, he can make his first plasma donation after Australian Red Cross Lifeblood removed most sexual activity wait times for life-saving plasma donations. The change means many gay and bisexual men, transgender people, sex workers, and people on pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) can now help save lives. For decades, donor rules prevented many people from the LGBTQIA+ and sex worker communities from donating plasma if they had sex within the past three months. Cr Clausen has long championed reform, and said the changes introduced this week were a major step forward. "I've always believed that blood donation policies should be based on actual risk, not outdated assumptions tied to identity," he said. "They [the changes] recognise the science, and will finally allow thousands of Australians, including me, to contribute." Plasma, the "liquid gold" part of blood, is the donation type most needed by Australian patients, with treatment for more than 50 medical conditions reliant on its supply. In Newcastle and Maitland alone, about 100 plasma donors are still needed every day, seven days a week. Newcastle Pride committee member Krys Sutton has been in a long-term, committed relationship. Mr Sutton said he was disappointed he could not donate when Lifeblood put the call out, and expected it would take time for trust to be rebuilt with the LGBTQIA+ community. "I think it's something that everyone should do because they can, and it's free," he said. "Once the legislation changes [around blood donations], we can come through and do this, be part of the community and give back. I think that's really important." The new rules mean about 625,000 Australians may become eligible to donate plasma, and Lifeblood expects about 95,000 extra plasma donations will be made each year. The changes mean those on PrEP will become the first in the world to donate plasma without a wait period. Cr Clausen said what made Australia's system particularly special was that it relied on the generosity of voluntary, unpaid donors. "The need is real, and now that I'm eligible, I'm proud to help," he said. "Once the broader changes to blood donation rules come into effect next year, I absolutely intend to donate blood too. "Donating blood and plasma to help save lives shouldn't depend on who you love. It should depend only on whether you're healthy and willing to give." Over the next 12 months, Lifeblood estimates an extra 24,000 donors will give plasma. Lifeblood chief executive officer Stephen Cornelissen said patient safety would always be Lifeblood's top priority, and that extensive research and modelling had shown the changes can be implemented without compromising the safety of Australia's blood supply. "While the rules were put in place to ensure a safe blood supply in the past, we know they have contributed to the stigma faced by many and hope today will be a turning point for Lifeblood and the LGBTQIA+ community and that people will feel welcome to come forward to donate their life-saving plasma," he said. Lifeblood has made changes to blood and platelets donation eligibility, with the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) recently approving a submission to remove gender-based sexual activity rules. The changes, known as gender-neutral assessments, are expected to be introduced next year. Once implemented, all donors will be asked the same questions about sexual activity, regardless of gender or sexuality, and most people in a sexual relationship of six months or more with a single partner will be eligible to donate blood. Lifeblood's chief medical officer, Jo Pink, said its submission to change rules for blood donation included data that showed, for now, a six-month wait was the safest option for Australian patients. Dr Pink said Lifeblood was committed to reviewing the wait as more evidence became available. "There are many steps that Lifeblood needs to take before we can implement the new gender-neutral assessments, including working with state and territory governments to change the donor questionnaire," she said. "We hope to be able to implement this part of the changes next year." To book a donation call 13 14 95, visit or download the Donate Blood App. GROWING up, Newcastle Labor councillor Declan Clausen heard Lifeblood's calls for donors. As a gay man, he wasn't allowed to help. "Not because my blood wasn't safe, but because of outdated rules rooted in stereotypes and stigma," he said. "Being denied the opportunity to help others in need has always felt deeply unfair." As of this week, he can make his first plasma donation after Australian Red Cross Lifeblood removed most sexual activity wait times for life-saving plasma donations. The change means many gay and bisexual men, transgender people, sex workers, and people on pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) can now help save lives. For decades, donor rules prevented many people from the LGBTQIA+ and sex worker communities from donating plasma if they had sex within the past three months. Cr Clausen has long championed reform, and said the changes introduced this week were a major step forward. "I've always believed that blood donation policies should be based on actual risk, not outdated assumptions tied to identity," he said. "They [the changes] recognise the science, and will finally allow thousands of Australians, including me, to contribute." Plasma, the "liquid gold" part of blood, is the donation type most needed by Australian patients, with treatment for more than 50 medical conditions reliant on its supply. In Newcastle and Maitland alone, about 100 plasma donors are still needed every day, seven days a week. Newcastle Pride committee member Krys Sutton has been in a long-term, committed relationship. Mr Sutton said he was disappointed he could not donate when Lifeblood put the call out, and expected it would take time for trust to be rebuilt with the LGBTQIA+ community. "I think it's something that everyone should do because they can, and it's free," he said. "Once the legislation changes [around blood donations], we can come through and do this, be part of the community and give back. I think that's really important." The new rules mean about 625,000 Australians may become eligible to donate plasma, and Lifeblood expects about 95,000 extra plasma donations will be made each year. The changes mean those on PrEP will become the first in the world to donate plasma without a wait period. Cr Clausen said what made Australia's system particularly special was that it relied on the generosity of voluntary, unpaid donors. "The need is real, and now that I'm eligible, I'm proud to help," he said. "Once the broader changes to blood donation rules come into effect next year, I absolutely intend to donate blood too. "Donating blood and plasma to help save lives shouldn't depend on who you love. It should depend only on whether you're healthy and willing to give." Over the next 12 months, Lifeblood estimates an extra 24,000 donors will give plasma. Lifeblood chief executive officer Stephen Cornelissen said patient safety would always be Lifeblood's top priority, and that extensive research and modelling had shown the changes can be implemented without compromising the safety of Australia's blood supply. "While the rules were put in place to ensure a safe blood supply in the past, we know they have contributed to the stigma faced by many and hope today will be a turning point for Lifeblood and the LGBTQIA+ community and that people will feel welcome to come forward to donate their life-saving plasma," he said. Lifeblood has made changes to blood and platelets donation eligibility, with the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) recently approving a submission to remove gender-based sexual activity rules. The changes, known as gender-neutral assessments, are expected to be introduced next year. Once implemented, all donors will be asked the same questions about sexual activity, regardless of gender or sexuality, and most people in a sexual relationship of six months or more with a single partner will be eligible to donate blood. Lifeblood's chief medical officer, Jo Pink, said its submission to change rules for blood donation included data that showed, for now, a six-month wait was the safest option for Australian patients. Dr Pink said Lifeblood was committed to reviewing the wait as more evidence became available. "There are many steps that Lifeblood needs to take before we can implement the new gender-neutral assessments, including working with state and territory governments to change the donor questionnaire," she said. "We hope to be able to implement this part of the changes next year." To book a donation call 13 14 95, visit or download the Donate Blood App.
West Australian
13 hours ago
- West Australian
Vape use among teens dropping for the first time as government regulation stems access
Rates of vaping among young people have started to drop for the first time in signs tighter government regulation is turning the tide. Latest figures from the Generation Vape study reveal 85 per cent of Australian teens aged 14-17 have never vaped, up from 82 per cent in 2023. The proportion of young people who have never smoked is also at its highest too, at 94 per cent. It's a promising sign teens are turning away from nicotine products, with chief investigator of the study Professor Becky Freeman saying the 'social acceptability of vaping over the past few years has shifted'. 'Young people tried vaping as it was marketed to them as fun, 'safe' and full of great flavours, but increasingly young people report the realities of vaping addiction and harm to their wellbeing,' Professor Freeman said. Access to vape products has also declined since the introduction of federal vape laws in July 2024 that aim to limit the sale of vapes to pharmacies only, regardless of nicotine content. About one in four young people reported purchasing their own vape, down from roughly one in three before the laws came into play. Tobacconist and vape shops remained a major source of vape sales with about one in three teens buying from such a retailer, highlighting ongoing difficulties with regulation and enforcement. Chair of the Cancer Council's tobacco issues committee Alecia Brooks said the latest figures were encouraging indicators that vaping laws are protecting young people, but that some retailers 'continue to exploit young people'. 'Some tobacconists and vape shops are still blatantly selling illegal vapes to young people,' Ms Brooks said. It comes as calls to WA's poisons hotline from concerned parents worried their babies have been exposed to vapes have tripled just six months into the year. Speaking on the matter in Budget Estimates earlier this month, Health Minister Meredith Hammat said the spike in calls reflected 'a growing awareness in the community about the harmful nature of vapes'. Since January 2024 the Therapeutic Goods Administration and Australian Border Force have seized more than 10 million illicit vapes with a street value of nearly half a billion dollars. Federal Health Minister Mark Butler said 'vaping rates for young Australians have now turned the corner'. 'Our education and prevention campaigns as well as support to deter people from taking up vaping and smoking or to quit are making a difference,' he said.
Perth Now
13 hours ago
- Perth Now
War against vapes not over yet despite falling rates
Shifting social norms are slowing the number of young people being hooked on vapes, but Australia isn't out of the woods yet, an expert has warned. A survey of almost 15,000 14 to 17-year olds found the number of teens vaping fell from 18 to 15 per cent since February 2023. The report released by the Cancer Council's Generation Vape Project on Wednesday found rates of e-cigarettes among 30 to-59-year-olds have halved, while fewer than one-in-five 18 to 24-year-olds used vapes. But despite the lowering rates, Cancer Council chair Alecia Brooks said the work to reduce smoking rates were far from over. "What this data shows us is that we can't really be complacent around this, we have to keep the pressure on," she told AAP. "People should not be able to make a profit off somebody else's health." Vape shops and tobacconists are leading a rise in black market sales of vapes, Ms Brooks said. The report found the number of vapes being bought by young people at stores surged to almost 35 per cent of all sales. This is despite laws only allowing vapes to be sold in pharmacies. But the number of people vaping is shrinking and one reason is because of social media, according the report. What was once a place that painted a fantastical snapshot of the flavoured air devices now is exposing less of the products online. Feelings of shame and embarrassment are poignant and the term "vaper" has became increasingly stigmatised, the report said. The report's chief investigator Becky Freeman said young people were realising the "harm it's doing to their wellbeing", which had led to a decline in vaping rates. Health Minister Mark Butler said education and prevention campaigns also helped deter people from taking up vaping or smoking. "Vaping rates for young Australians have now turned the corner," he said. "It may take time to see a big decrease in vaping and smoking, but we are here for the long haul for a healthier Australia." The Australian Border Force and the Therapeutic Goods Administration have also seized almost $500 billion worth of illicit vapes since January 2024. Tobacco use remains the leading cause of preventable death in Australia and is estimated to kill more than 24,000 Australians each year. Lifeline 13 11 14 Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800 (for people aged 5 to 25)
