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Non-Smokers' Movement of Australia Incorporated (NSMA) Select Committee on COVID-19 to inquire into the Australian Government’s response to the COVID-10 PANDEMIC. Submission from: Non-Smokers’ Movement of Australia Incorporated (NSMA) Thank you for the opportunity to comment on this important matter. SUMMARY Australia was advised in early 2020, at the beginning of this Coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic that smoking is highly risky for CoronavirusCOVID19 and that smokers should QUIT IMMEDIATELY. Conversely, the World was advised seventy years ago, in May 2020, that smoking kills. Approximately 20,000 Australians die each year from smoking (or from exposure to the toxins in second-hand tobacco smoke). With over 2,500,000 Australians still smoking, and with the very real possibility of them further risking their lives due to the dangers of Coronavirus COVID-19, all smokers should be given extra incentives and extra support to escape from their potentially deadly addiction. All of Australia’s Health Ministers were, of course, fixed on preventing deaths from the COVID-19 pandemic, but some simple preventive measures to avert even further, PREDICTABLE deaths (from tobacco) have not yet been taken. NSMA Inc. wrote to all Health Ministers on 4 April 2020, calling for speedier quitting assistance for smokers. Replies to date indicate no change. Rapid response from Australia’s Health authorities have fortunately led to far fewer COVID-19 deaths, currently 103, than had been anticipated. In the same spirit of saving lives, we call on Australia’s Governments to act quickly. AUSTRALIA MUST ACCELERATE QUITTING RATES IMMEDIATELY Australian Government’s Response to the COVID-19 pandemic. EARLY WARNINGS: Early and strong professional medical advice was given about the dangers of smoking and vulnerability to Coronavirus COVID-19 and potential complications due to reduced heart and lung capacity.” The Department of Health (Australia) is aware of evidence showing that smoking is a risk factor for COVID-19 disease progression” (14 May 2020 Response to NSMA letter). As the pandemic evolved and tough measures brought about, there were warnings about potential mental health problems, loneliness, domestic and child abuse (including sexual abuse,) homelessness, financial and anxiety problems. At NSMA Inc., we acknowledge those latter warnings but we have little or no expertise about how they should be addressed. We do, however, have wide experience and knowledge of the dangers of smoking, to both smokers and to innocent bystanders who are assaulted by potentially deadly toxins in second-hand tobacco smoke from those 2,500,000 smokers. Non Smokers’ Movement of Australia Inc. was formed in 1977, fighting for everybody’s right to breathe clean air, free from the toxins in second-hand tobacco smoke, as well as against Big Tobacco’s (the tobacco Industry) influence in politics and on politicians. Between 2,500,000 and 2,600,000 people smoke in Australia. (Aust. Bureau of Statistics ABS). That results in an awful lot of toxic second-hand tobacco smoke for everybody to avoid. In October 2019, at the Oceania Tobacco Control Conference, hosted by Cancer Council NSW in Sydney, we were advised at Conference Opening by Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt that the latest smoking figures are now available (the first update on smoking figures in 15 years, since 2004-5). He told us: Smoking in Australia costs close to $137 billion annually (up from $31.5 billion in 2004-5) Tobacco use is linked to about 20,000 PREVENTABLE deaths each year 90% of people who start smoking regret it or want to quit. Comments from Non-Smokers’ Movement of Australia Inc.: There is no basic human right to smoke, but there is a basic human right to breathe clean air, free from the potentially toxins in second-hand tobacco smoke, which can trigger potentially deadly heart and lung conditions such as Lung Cancer, Asthma, COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease), and SUIDS (Sudden Unexplained Infant Death Syndrome). Smokers now have easy access to approved, affordable ALTERNATIVE nicotine replacement products (not suggesting untested e-cigarettes, vaping nor water- pipes), as well as free or subsidised Quitting programs. Non-smokers have NO ALTERNATIVES for breathing – they must use nose and mouth. Following the advice about the potential dangers to smokers of Covid19, NSMA Inc. wrote to all Australia’s Health Ministers, calling on them to advise and assist smokers to quit in order to avoid those potential COVID-19 complications. We made several suggestions, including that smokers be given free approved alternative quitting aids (patches, gums, sprays, lozenges). (See attached NSMA letter dated 4 April 2020) Ministers’ responses agree that COVID-19 is a risk factor but none of the four responses so far have committed any further effort or funds to reduce smoking rates. Indigenous smoking rates have reduced recently but, in comparison to non-Indigenous rates, remain obscenely high. Australia’s Government is an early signatory, and all levels of Government are bound by the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), which aims to protect people in all countries from the health, social, environmental and economic effects of tobacco. Now, on another COVID-19 Matter: Regarding the COVID-19 EXIT STRATEGY which is mentioned occasionally. We refer the COVID19 committee to an Online article in Insight, dated 18 May 2020, authored by highly respected tobacco – control experts, Emeritus Professor Mike Daube AO and Professor Rob Moodie (and attached): Title: “Exit Strategy: We can do it for COVID19, why not tobacco?” Comment from Non-Smokers’ Movement of Australia: WHY INDEED NOT? PS POTENTIALLY LESS FIRES STARTED IN COMING FIRE SEASON Finally, by reducing health danger dramatically (as has occurred in the fight against COVID19, less smoking would mean there will be less chance in the coming FIRE SEASONS of tossed butts causing more of the horrific fires Australia has experienced in recent seasons. We are advised that tossed cigarette butts are by far the most numerous item littered around Australia – many are not extinguished properly and start fires. In 2005, approximately 4000 fires were started by discarded butts. (Per NSW Fire Brigade). We are aware that not all fires start from tossed butts or carelessly extinguished cigarettes, but it would be excellent to reduce that particular risk. Thank you, from Margaret Hogge President, Non-Smokers’ Movement of Australia Inc. (Attachments 1 and 2 follow.) Attachment 1. Message to all Health Ministers re SMOKING and COVID 19 4/4/2020 Call to reduce potential COVID19 death rate by Helping Smokers to Quit Australians have been advised, from the early onset of Coronavirus COVID 19, that smokers are at a high risk of serious health damage from contracting the virus. (Dr Norman Swan, ABC Adviser, February 2020) We call on all Australia’s Health Ministers and Authorities to help stem the effect of Coronavirus COVID19 by helping smokers to escape their addiction to nicotine and to quit smoking. Australia’s Federal Minister for Health Greg Hunt announced in October 2019 that the annual cost of smoking in Australia is $137 billion (health, productivity and social costs) and that tobacco kills about 20,000 (twenty thousand) Australians each year. At the same time he would add $5 million to the already allocated $20 million over four years to help combat smoking (total $25 million for four years) Professor Sanchia Aranda, CEO, Cancer Council Australia said “About two and a half million people are still smoking every day in Australia and tobacco continues to be Australia’s leading cause of preventable disease”, Oct. 2019. Those 2,500,000 Australians who smoke are using a highly addictive product which is easily available at corner shops, petrol stations, supermarkets, pubs, clubs, and tobacconists. Most smokers, however, want to quit. About 80% try quitting, several times. Many Australian smokers would now – understandably - be living in fear of contracting Coronavirus COVID 19. Their consumption of tobacco has possibly increased due to loss of jobs, social isolation, mortgage/rental worries, and increased stress. Suggestions: 1. Increase Health Funding rapidly to help 2,500,000 Australian smokers escape their addiction to nicotine and quit smoking. 2. Immediate Pro-Quitting Campaign using historically successful ideas. 3. FREE approved Nicotine Replacement Therapies (patches, gums, lozenges and sprays). Universally available. 4. Free and Timely Quitting Advice - Virtual Help Groups, etc.. 5. Incentive Smokers’ Licensing Program, such as that suggested by Professor Simon Chapman – smokers could recover costs by quitting early. We understand that this call for drastic-sounding tobacco-control measures may sound opportunistic, coming from Non-Smokers’ Movement of Australia, a smoke-free movement. After all, we have been fighting for smoke-free rights, everywhere, since 1977. But right now “we are all in this together”. We have not yet heard of any special measures to help this huge but diverse group of vulnerable Australians (2,500,000 smokers) quell some of their fears, quit tobacco, and thus help them attain a healthier future, despite the current crisis. Let’s do this. (Ms.) Margaret Hogge President, Non-Smokers’ Movement of Australia Inc. PO Box K860 Haymarket NSW 1240 Attachment 2. This online Article from InSight 18 May 2020 Exit strategy: we can do it for COVID-19, why not tobacco Authored by MIKE DAUBE ROB MOODIE Issue 19 / 18 May 2020 COVID-19 was first identified in December 2019 and declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization in March 2020. Australia is now seen as a world leader in taking action based on public health advice. This has entailed profound restrictions on social and economic activity, adverse impacts on many industries, and massive expenditure by government, resulting in extensive population-level behaviour changes, with strong community support. Our governments deserve praise for their early and effective action, as do many others, from health professionals to the wider community which has adhered so well to the restrictions.
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