With a respiratory disease running rampant across the globe, many people with unhealthy habits appear to be especiallyvulnerable. That apart, smoking is a bad habit to have at any point and one the country is determined to take radical steps to stamp it out permanently!
In a bold new move to phase out smoking, people will be madeto buy cigarettes with a prescription or at a pharmacy in Australia.
The roadmap to eradicate cigarette smoking in Australia willbe the focus of a new University of Queensland and National Health and MedicalResearch Council (NHMRC)-funded, $3 million Centre of Research Excellence.
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According to 7News, the ambitious plan to stub outcigarettes for good is being explored by a new centre at the University ofQueensland.
As per University of Queensland, the study said Australia'ssmoking prevalence stands at just under 15 per cent and the aim is to reducethat figure to zero.
"Australia is a global tobacco control leader and hasbeen at the cutting edge of many new policies," Associate Professor CoralGartner, CREATE director, told 9News.
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"An effective tobacco endgame strategy shouldaccelerate the decline in smoking prevalence while assisting governments,retailers and people who smoke. to transition to a smoke-free society."
The centre will focus research efforts on what anappropriate endgame target and timeframe should be, and the best way toeliminate smoking disparities and stop children’s exposure to second-handsmoke.
Various strategies will be explored include reducing thenumber of tobacco retailers and restricting sales to particular suppliers.
One of them will be ending sales to everyone born after acertain year!
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The Australian government currently has a goal of reducingsmoking prevalence to 10 per cent by 2025. Currently, about 2.3 million peoplesmoke tobacco daily in Australia - less than 15 per cent of the adultpopulation. The habit causes almost one in seven deaths.