| Youth smoking rates PLUMMET in Victoria
Youth smoking rates in Victoria have hit their lowest point since records began more than 20 years a go, according to results from a new survey released today by Health Minister Bronwyn Pike.
Ms Pike said the results showed Victorian youth smoking rates in 12 to 17 year olds had decreased from 21 per cent to 11 per cent over the past six years (1999 – 2005).
“In 1999 it was estimated that just under 73,800 Victorian students aged 12 to 17 years smoked around 2,069,700 cigarettes in a week – that’s an average of 28 cigarettes a week per teenage smoker,” Ms Pike said.
“Current research indicates that in 2005 Victoria has about 42,000 students aged 12 to 17 years smoking just over 1,061,000 cigarettes in a week. It’s still way too much but it’s also a significant reduction.
Ms Pike said the findings should also finally dispel the popular myth that more girls are smoking, with the proportion of 12 to 15 year old female smokers more than halving to 8 per cent – a drop of 9 per cent – since 1999 and the proportion of 16 to 17 year old female smokers dropping to 20 per cent – a reduction of 13 per cent – over the same period.”
Ms Pike said in the past seven years, the Bracks Government had introduced a range of tobacco reforms to reduce youth smoking rates.
“Since coming into office, we have introduced strict laws on cigarette sales to minors, restricted tobacco advertising, increased bans on smoking in public spaces and funded mass anti-tobacco campaigns,” Ms Pike said.
“Victoria was also the first State to prohibit smoking at under-age music and dance events, as well as prohibit the sale, display and promotion of tobacco at these events.”
Ms Pike said the survey also revealed a significant decrease in younger students who perceive smokers as more popular than non-smokers.
“The majority of students, regardless of their smoking status and age, did not believe smokers were more popular than non-smokers.”
Ms Pike commented that while the decline in youth smoking was promising, the figures are still too high.
“Tobacco remains the risk factor associated with the greatest burden of disease in Victoria, responsible for almost 4000 deaths in Victoria each year, and costs the Victorian community over $5 billion annually in health care and social costs,” Ms Pike said.
“The Bracks Government has done significant work to address this burden, and will continue to invest in this important area.”
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