The Role of Government: Banning Smoking in Australia - Health Essay

This essay examines the Australian government's responsibility in banning smoking in public places to address the significant public health issue of tobacco use. It highlights that over 15,000 deaths occur annually due to smoking, emphasizing the need for government intervention. The essay suggests that implementing smoke-free policies can change social norms, promote smoking cessation, and reduce exposure to secondhand smoke. Legislative measures, smoke-free zones, and restrictions in outdoor areas are proposed. The essay also discusses raising tobacco taxes and banning tobacco advertising as potential strategies. It advocates for health awareness programs and strict actions against smokers in public places, concluding that government efforts are crucial for controlling tobacco use and protecting public health.

Healthcare

Table of Contents
Introduction...........................................................................................................................................2
Main Context.........................................................................................................................................2
Conclusion.............................................................................................................................................3
References.............................................................................................................................................4
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Introduction
Tobacco is considered to be one of the most significant public health issues which need a
special focus in order to deal with it. The government of Australia should take responsibility
for banning smoking in public places. More than 15000 people die due to smoking which is
considered to be a major concern for the government. The implementation of adequate
strategies by the government can assist to ban smoking in public places (Rosenberg,
Pettigrew, Wood, Ferguson & Houghton, 2012).
Main Context
The government can promote a smoke-free environment because it can change the social
forms related to acceptance of smoking, promoting smoking cessation and decreasing
harmful secondhand smoke exposure. Smoke-free policy can also be adopted by the
government will assist to decrease the in second-hand smoke exposure among the non-
smokers. The main focus of the policy would decrease the consumption of cigarette and
smoking cessation (Jochelson, 2006). Legislation can be developed and formulated for
banning smoking in public places which can decrease the smoking habits of the people. The
government can also develop smoke-free areas and smoke-free role models.
The opportunities for smoking among youth should also be decreased by creating a smoke-
free environment. Restrictions on smoking should be implemented in outdoor areas such as in
the transport settings, streets, sports grounds, parks, beaches, health care facilities grounds,
and public buildings. The government should focus on creating a positive attitude among the
people towards the implementation of the smoking free environment. A new standard should
be developed for the welfare of the people in public places (Akhtar, Currie, Currie & Haw,
2007). Government organizations should also create awareness among people about the
effects of smoking. Children should be especially protected from secondhand smoke
exposure. There should be strict regulations for smokers if they are found smoking in front of
any child in the public place.
It has been noticed that increasing the price of tobacco can decrease the consumption of it.
According to the survey, the smoking rate has been increased to 13.5% to 15.1% between
2015 and 2016. As per the National Accounts, the consumption of cigarette has increased in
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2017 for the first time in a decade. The government of Australia should focus on decreasing
the consumption of cigarette as it is taking many lives every year. There are multiple ways
that can be used by the government in order to prevent people from smoking and increasing
the tax on tobacco is one of them (Lemstra, Neudorf & Opondo, 2008). The government of
Australia has announced an increase of 12.5% in the excise of tobacco which has raised the
price of a pack of cigarette up to $A40. It can be considered as a good initiation from the
government as Australia is the only country where tobacco is being sold for such a high price.
The government should also ban all type of advertisement of tobacco all over the country as
people often get influenced by the advertisement. There is a high probability that the young
generation will get influenced by smoking from the advertisement.
The government may bring a regulation that restricts the access to tobacco. It is not possible
for the government to ban the access of tobacco completely. However, putting a restriction on
the access of it can help in reducing the consumption rate of tobacco (Pizacani, Maher,
Rohde, Drach & Stark, 2011). Heath awareness program is the best way of preventing people
from smoking as it provides knowledge regarding the consequences of smoking. The
government should focus on making people aware of the result of smoking by advertisement
on television, radio, and newspaper. Schools and colleges should also organize a campaign to
provide information regarding the result of smoking because it has been noticed that young
people are more likely to get addicted to smoking. The government can take strict action
against those people who smoke in public place as it can affect other people as well. These
people should be charged with a huge fine and imprisonment as well as required (Thomson,
Wilson & Edwards, 2009).
Conclusion
The government of Australia can make efforts for controlling and preventing tobacco in
public places. Many people suffer due to smoking and it is a major concern which needs to be
addressed. The adoption of the smoke-free environment by the government can assist to
restrict smoking in the outdoor areas.
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References
Akhtar, P., Currie, D., Currie, C., & Haw, S. (2007). Changes in child exposure to
environmental tobacco smoke (CHETS) study after implementation of smoke-free
legislation in Scotland: a national cross sectional survey. BMJ, 335(7619), 545. doi:
10.1136/bmj.39311.550197.ae
Jochelson, K. (2006). Nanny or steward? The role of government in public health. Public
Health, 120(12), 1149-1155. doi: 10.1016/j.puhe.2006.10.009
Lemstra, M., Neudorf, C., & Opondo, J. (2008). Implications of a Public Smoking
Ban. Canadian Journal Of Public Health, 99(1), 62-65.
Pizacani, B., Maher, J., Rohde, K., Drach, L., & Stark, M. (2011). Implementation of a
Smoke-free Policy in Subsidized Multiunit Housing: Effects on Smoking Cessation and
Secondhand Smoke Exposure. Nicotine & Tobacco Research, 14(9), 1027-1034. doi:
10.1093/ntr/ntr334
Rosenberg, M., Pettigrew, S., Wood, L., Ferguson, R., & Houghton, S. (2012). Public support
for tobacco control policy extensions in Western Australia: a cross-sectional study. BMJ
Open, 2(2), e000784. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2011-000784
Thomson, G., Wilson, N., & Edwards, R. (2009). At the frontier of tobacco control: A brief
review of public attitudes toward smoke-free outdoor places. Nicotine & Tobacco
Research, 11(6), 584-590. doi: 10.1093/ntr/ntp046
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