[Greens-Media] Media Release: Greens accuse government of being unduly influenced on smoking reform (World no Tobacco Day)

[Adele.Pedder at parliament.vic.gov.au]

Today, on World No Tobacco Day, Greens MP Colleen Hartland has accused the Victorian government being unduly influenced by one of their major donors on smokefree policy.

“The Australian Hotels Association are outspoken lobbyists against banning smoking in outdoor dining and drinking areas, and are also major donors to the Victorian Liberal and National parties. No other state party branch receives money from the AHA and all have banned smoking in outdoor dining and drinking areas. I don't think this is coincidence,” said Victorian Greens spokesperson on health Colleen Hartland.

In 2012-13, the Australian Hotels Association donated $306,250 to the Victorian Division of the Liberal Party of Victoria and $12,070 to National Party of Victoria. No other state received donations.*

“Ahead of World Tobacco Day the Australian Medical Association (AMA) awarded Victoria with the Dirty Ashtray Award for the third year running**." 

"This consistent poor performance is unprecedented in Australia, though it is not surprising considering Victoria are stark laggards on smoking reform. Victoria is the only state in Australia not to ban smoking in outdoor dining and drinking areas.”

“Making outdoor dining and drinking areas smoke-free is the single most effective reform to reduce the take up of smoking by young people and help people quit. It would also benefit the whole community who don’t want smoke in their face as they eat.” 

“Smoking is the biggest preventative health issue of our times. Smoking kills 4000 Victorians every year, that's considerably more than road accidents, alcohol and other drugs combined.”

"The Greens introduced legislation to the Victorian Parliament to ban smoking in outdoor dining and drinking areas. The government voted it down proving that they're more willing to bow to one of their major donors than protect the health of Victorians.”

“The government must catch up and ban smoking in outdoor dining and drinking areas, regardless of who funds their electoral activities,” said Ms Hartland.

The National Tobacco Scoreboard is conducted each year by the AMA, ACOSH (The Australian Council on Smoking and Health ) and ASH (Action on Smoke and Health). The worst performing jurisdiction is awarded with the Dirty Ashtray Award and includes the presentation of the physical dirty, smelly ashtray.

For comment: Colleen Hartland 0417 445 845


*http://periodicdisclosures.aec.gov.au/Donor.aspx?SubmissionID=51&ClientID=28899

**https://ama.com.au/media/amaacosh-dirty-ashtray-award-2014


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Parliament of Victoria                                                                                                                    . 
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