Community advocates have put the tobacco trade on the agenda for the Cessnock region as part of Cancer Council’s Saving Life 2015: Change Starts Here campaign.
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Cancer Council is calling for reforms to how tobacco is sold, to reduce availability and better manage where retailers are located in the community.
In the Cessnock electorate approximately 133 businesses sell tobacco, representing a rate of 179 tobacco sellers per 100,000 people, compared to the NSW rate of 131.5 outlets per 100,000.
With Cancer Council research showing there are five times as many places in New South Wales selling cigarettes than there are pharmacies, cancer advocates are looking to ensure people are supported in quitting and that young people can live smoke-free.
“With approximately 900,000 people smoking in NSW and over 5000 deaths from cigarettes in NSW each year, the issue of tobacco oversupply needs to be addressed,” Cessnock community advocate Kelly Moylan said.
“Tobacco is very harmful, yet it is one of the most widely available products in the community, and sold at petrol stations, newsagents, supermarkets and pubs, with few safeguards placed on how it’s sold.”
Tobacco oversupply is one of five key issues that Cancer Council NSW is calling on the next State Government to take action on, in order to help reduce the number of people diagnosed with cancer and improve the quality of life of those living with the disease.
The other key issues are increasing palliative care services, improving cancer services for Aboriginal people, addressing chemotherapy co-payments, and access to care coordination.
“MPs, candidates and the next government have the power to help people quit and reduce the likelihood of young people taking up smoking, by looking at ways to restrict how cigarettes are sold,” Ms. Moylan said.
For more information visit: www.cancercouncil.com.au/savinglife.
