Priority S3:
Improved health through reduced obesity, smoking,
illicit drug use and risk drinking
S3(a-b): Risk drinking and smoking
The average life expectancy in NSW is among the
highest in the world, yet many people still die
prematurely. A large number of these deaths can be
linked to diseases and conditions that result from
unhealthy lifestyles.
Nearly a third of people engage in risk drinking
behaviour. smoking is responsible for 22 per cent of
cancer deaths and 13 per cent of all cardiovascular
deaths for persons aged 35-69 years and 19.19 per cent
of all persons.
By improving the health of individuals we reduce the
pressure on our hospital system.
Targets
- Continue to reduce smoking rates by 1 per cent
per annum to 2010, then by 0.5 per cent per annum to
2016
- Reduce total risk drinking to below 25 per cent
by 2012
Although the target for reduced smoking rates applies
to the whole population, we aim to exceed this target
for the Aboriginal population where smoking rates are
higher (43.2 per cent estimated for 2002-2005) than
within the general population (17.7 per cent).
Progress
Proportion of Smokers and Risk Drinkers in
the
Population aged 16 and over
Source: NSW
Department of Health, Chief Health Officer's Report
In 2006, 32.8 per cent of the adult population in NSW engaged in any
risk drinking behaviour - down from 42.3 per cent in
1997.
The NSW Government announced in April a drop in
smoking prevalence rates (smoking daily or occasionally)
from 20.1% in 2005 to 17.7% in 2006 (19.2% for males,
16.2% for females). This is a further drop from the rate
of 24% in 1997.
In 2006 prevalence of daily smoking was 13.9%. 15% of
males are daily smokers compared to 12.9% of females.
These figures confirm the Government's long term
investment on anti-smoking initiatives are working.
Recent Actions
Smoking
- Continuing the anti-smoking social marketing
campaigns implemented by the Cancer Institute NSW
and continuing to provide a counselling and
call-back service to the community through the NSW
Quitline to encourage and support smoking cessation.
- Provision of competency based training in
smoking cessation to over 300 health professionals
across NSW via videoconference under the Telehealth
Initiative.
- Implementation of the final phase of the
Smoke-free Environment Act 2000,which bans smoking
in all enclosed public places including enclosed
places in licensed premises (pubs and clubs) as of
July 2nd 2007,
- Ongoing compliance monitoring of all aspects of
tobacco related legislation.
Risk Drinking
- State-wide expansion of the successful Alcohol
Linking Program to target licensed premises that
have irresponsible drinking practices.
- Expansion of the Supply Means Supply Program to
tackle underage drinking through education of young
people, adults and the liquor industry.
- 'Be a part of it, not out of it'
campaign was piloted in four parts of NSW, targeting
young males between the ages of 14 and 29. The
campaign challenged the culture of how much and the
way people drink with the message that getting drunk
can result in serious harms to you and your
community.
Date Modified:04-Feb-2008