❓ Mrs Warr questions the Minister for Preventative Health about rising smoking rates despite government efforts. The Minister acknowledges the increase but highlights WA's overall positive health statistics and ongoing investment in preventative measures.
AnsweredQoN 541Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
Tobacco and vapes
541. ������ Mrs Kirrilee Warr to the Minister for
Preventative Health:
I refer to the Department
of Health's annual report and an article in The
West Australian that revealed that smoking rates have increased for the
first time since 1995 and that almost one in four Western Australians have now
tried an e-cigarette. Why has smoking increased for the first time in 30 years
under this government's watch, despite repeated claims that Labor is tackling
illegal tobacco and vaping?
541. ������ Mrs Kirrilee Warr to the Minister for
Preventative Health:
I refer to the Department
of Health's annual report and an article in The
West Australian that revealed that smoking rates have increased for the
first time since 1995 and that almost one in four Western Australians have now
tried an e-cigarette. Why has smoking increased for the first time in 30 years
under this government's watch, despite repeated claims that Labor is tackling
illegal tobacco and vaping?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member
for the question, which of course is the first question in the important
portfolio of preventative health. I am very proud to be part of a government
that has introduced this portfolio, because we know how important preventive
health is. Our Premier has an ambitious plan for health in Western Australia,
with preventive health measures a really important part of making sure that we
keep Western Australians healthy. We know that the portfolio has also been
welcomed by public health advocates across the spectrum, and it has been a
great pleasure of mine since taking on the portfolio in March to meet and work
with a broad range of stakeholders who do important work in the preventive
health space, including in relation to the use of tobacco and vapes in Western
Australia and the nation.
In terms of
statistics, when we talk about preventive health, I acknowledge that the use of
tobacco has gone up, but the annual report also has important things to say
about the overall health and wellbeing of Western Australians on a broad range
of fronts. Wesfarmers conducts a national health index report each year, and
its report says that Western Australia is the healthiest state in the nation,
with an index score of 120 compared with 107 nationally. We have the lowest
diabetes rates in the nation, and our obesity rates are lower than the national
average.
Mr Shane Love interjected.
The Speaker: Leader of the National Party!
Ms Sabine Winton: Our high blood pressure rates are
lower than the national average.
Several members
interjected.
The Speaker: Sorry, minister; just hang on. Members of
the opposition, you have asked the question. If you want to get a
supplementary, please stop interjecting.
Dr Tony Buti interjected.
The Speaker: Attorney General!
Ms Sabine Winton: Since we have been in government,
our investment in a range of preventive health measures has increased.
Ms Libby Mettam interjected.
The Speaker: Member for Vasse!
Ms Sabine Winton: A key part of our investment over a
number of years has been not only in regard to preventive health measures that encourage
people to quit smoking, but also, and very importantly, that we have continued
to invest in programs to stop people from smoking in the first place. Some $5.4
million in Healthway grants has gone towards supporting our efforts to reduce
smoking and vaping and other preventive health measures. Members opposite, our
government has a commitment to preventive health measures over the long term
through investment in important health measures, whether through immunisation
or screening, and important public health programs.
Several members interjected.
The Speaker: Members!
Ms Sabine Winton: We know that the public health—
Mr Shane Love interjected.
The Speaker: Leader of the National Party, I am
calling you for the first time for disorderly interruptions.
Ms Sabine Winton: We know that the public health
smoking campaigns work.
Several members
interjected.
Ms Sabine Winton: They do work and, over the years,
nationally and throughout the state, the levels of smoking have declined and we
have continued to invest in public health programs.
Several members
interjected.
Point of order
Mr David Michael: It is unparliamentary to have this
wall of noise coming across when the minister is trying to answer the question.
The Speaker: Thank you, Leader of the House. I will
uphold that point of order. Members of the opposition, I have tried to warn you
about continual interjections. Member for Geraldton, do not waste your time standing
up; you are not going to get a supplementary question. I warned you that would
happen, and that is what is happening. The member for Swan Hills.
for the question, which of course is the first question in the important
portfolio of preventative health. I am very proud to be part of a government
that has introduced this portfolio, because we know how important preventive
health is. Our Premier has an ambitious plan for health in Western Australia,
with preventive health measures a really important part of making sure that we
keep Western Australians healthy. We know that the portfolio has also been
welcomed by public health advocates across the spectrum, and it has been a
great pleasure of mine since taking on the portfolio in March to meet and work
with a broad range of stakeholders who do important work in the preventive
health space, including in relation to the use of tobacco and vapes in Western
Australia and the nation.
In terms of
statistics, when we talk about preventive health, I acknowledge that the use of
tobacco has gone up, but the annual report also has important things to say
about the overall health and wellbeing of Western Australians on a broad range
of fronts. Wesfarmers conducts a national health index report each year, and
its report says that Western Australia is the healthiest state in the nation,
with an index score of 120 compared with 107 nationally. We have the lowest
diabetes rates in the nation, and our obesity rates are lower than the national
average.
Mr Shane Love interjected.
The Speaker: Leader of the National Party!
Ms Sabine Winton: Our high blood pressure rates are
lower than the national average.
Several members
interjected.
The Speaker: Sorry, minister; just hang on. Members of
the opposition, you have asked the question. If you want to get a
supplementary, please stop interjecting.
Dr Tony Buti interjected.
The Speaker: Attorney General!
Ms Sabine Winton: Since we have been in government,
our investment in a range of preventive health measures has increased.
Ms Libby Mettam interjected.
The Speaker: Member for Vasse!
Ms Sabine Winton: A key part of our investment over a
number of years has been not only in regard to preventive health measures that encourage
people to quit smoking, but also, and very importantly, that we have continued
to invest in programs to stop people from smoking in the first place. Some $5.4
million in Healthway grants has gone towards supporting our efforts to reduce
smoking and vaping and other preventive health measures. Members opposite, our
government has a commitment to preventive health measures over the long term
through investment in important health measures, whether through immunisation
or screening, and important public health programs.
Several members interjected.
The Speaker: Members!
Ms Sabine Winton: We know that the public health—
Mr Shane Love interjected.
The Speaker: Leader of the National Party, I am
calling you for the first time for disorderly interruptions.
Ms Sabine Winton: We know that the public health
smoking campaigns work.
Several members
interjected.
Ms Sabine Winton: They do work and, over the years,
nationally and throughout the state, the levels of smoking have declined and we
have continued to invest in public health programs.
Several members
interjected.
Point of order
Mr David Michael: It is unparliamentary to have this
wall of noise coming across when the minister is trying to answer the question.
The Speaker: Thank you, Leader of the House. I will
uphold that point of order. Members of the opposition, I have tried to warn you
about continual interjections. Member for Geraldton, do not waste your time standing
up; you are not going to get a supplementary question. I warned you that would
happen, and that is what is happening. The member for Swan Hills.
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