❓ Dr. Walker questions the Minister for Health about smoking rates in WA and whether new research on vaping and cannabis will be considered in tobacco harm reduction strategies. The Minister confirms declining smoking rates and ongoing review of evidence-based approaches.
AnsweredQoN 1221Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
SMOKING — HARM REDUCTION
1221. Hon Dr BRIAN WALKER to the Leader of the House
representing the Minister for Health:
I refer the minister to a recent
paper published in the Journal of Health Economics that suggests that
electronic nicotine delivery systems, like vapes, and the adoption of
recreational cannabis laws are both associated with a reduction in adult
cigarette smoking, and may indeed generate tobacco-related health benefits.
(1) What are the latest available smoking figures for Western
Australia and have they, as suggested in previous years, shown a slowdown
in the number of Western Australian residents quitting tobacco?
(2) Will the
Department of Health consider this latest research when it next reviews its approach
to tobacco harm reduction?
1221. Hon Dr BRIAN WALKER to the Leader of the House
representing the Minister for Health:
I refer the minister to a recent
paper published in the Journal of Health Economics that suggests that
electronic nicotine delivery systems, like vapes, and the adoption of
recreational cannabis laws are both associated with a reduction in adult
cigarette smoking, and may indeed generate tobacco-related health benefits.
(1) What are the latest available smoking figures for Western
Australia and have they, as suggested in previous years, shown a slowdown
in the number of Western Australian residents quitting tobacco?
(2) Will the
Department of Health consider this latest research when it next reviews its approach
to tobacco harm reduction?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the
honourable member for some notice of the question.
(1) The
prevalence of current smokers aged over 18 years in Western Australia in 2021
was 9.9 per cent. The prevalence of current Western Australian smokers aged
over 18 years has declined from 21.8 per cent in 2002 to 10.4 per cent in 2020. The annual prevalence estimates of
current smoking for WA adults aged over 18 years continues to decline.
(2) The Department of Health considers and reviews
evidence-based approaches to reduce the harm caused by tobacco use and
exposure to second-hand smoke, aligned with the Western Australian health
promotion strategic framework 2022–2026 and the Australian National
tobacco strategy 2023–2030 .
honourable member for some notice of the question.
(1) The
prevalence of current smokers aged over 18 years in Western Australia in 2021
was 9.9 per cent. The prevalence of current Western Australian smokers aged
over 18 years has declined from 21.8 per cent in 2002 to 10.4 per cent in 2020. The annual prevalence estimates of
current smoking for WA adults aged over 18 years continues to decline.
(2) The Department of Health considers and reviews
evidence-based approaches to reduce the harm caused by tobacco use and
exposure to second-hand smoke, aligned with the Western Australian health
promotion strategic framework 2022–2026 and the Australian National
tobacco strategy 2023–2030 .
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