The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) applauds the High Court’s ruling to mandate plain packaging of all tobacco products.
The victory serves as a prime example of Australia leading the world in preventive care, supporting healthier communities.
Professor Claire Jackson, RACGP President, said smoking still remained the behavioural risk factor responsible for the highest levels of preventable and premature death, despite smoking rates continuing to fall in Australia.
“From December (2012), it is hopeful the introduction of drab olive-brown packs sporting large health warnings will discourage new smokers from starting the habit, whilst reminding current smokers of the detrimental health effects associated with lighting up,” Professor Jackson said.
Professor Jackson highlighted the important role general practitioners (GPs) continued to play in reducing smoking rates through education and support.
“While smoking rates have steadily declined in Australia, we have not won the battle yet. We know that spending just a few minutes talking to patients about quitting smoking can lead to behavioural change – a step that may result in increasing life expectancy up to 10 years.
“The High Court’s decision to mandate plain packaging on cigarettes will further support the vital work GPs currently undertake in our communities to put an end to the uptake and continued smoking rates in Australia,” Professor Jackson concluded.
The RACGP recently released an updated smoking cessation resource, Supporting smoking cessation: a guide for health professionals 2011, incorporating a number of significant new developments in both the science and practice of cessation support providing health professionals with a valuable resource to help patients keen to stop smoking.