Non-Smokers' Movement of Australia Inc. | Organisation

Non-Smokers' Movement of Australia Inc.

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24.01.2022 If our governments won’t ban tobacco, they must at least protect everybody, especially infants, babies, and the frail-aged, from potentially deadly toxins in second-hand tobacco smoke, which triggers deadly asthma, heart and lung diseases and SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) and more. Taking smoking out of sight prevents uptake and helps quitting smokers. Then again, Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt must spend more than the allocated $6.25 million (it won't even buy the c...offee and staples for the "focus group") each year for the next four years to convince Australia's 2,500,000 smokers to escape this deadly addiction. Tobacco kills 20,000 Australians and costs our nation approximately $137 billion annually. Limit sales to vastly reduced licensed tobacco-dealers only (not at every corner-shop, newsagent, bottle-shop, pub, club and supermarket); ensure that everybody who wishes to opt-out of selling tobacco or working in smoke-filled workplaces is never penalised; raise the legal age for smoking; sue Big Tobacco for damages (past, present and future); fund scientists to develop the vaccine to fight nicotine-addiction; legislate that smokers must carry personal ashtray/butt-bin or risk a fine (just like doggy-doo bags); encourage divestment in Big Tobacco and related industries. And more. Not much to ask to help combat this Epidemic, against which we were warned 70 years ago. Non-Smokers' Movement of Australia Inc. has been fighting since 1977 for everybody's right to breathe clean air, free from tobacco-smoke toxins.

24.01.2022 Good News, if just a tad late for those workers who have been, and still are, being subjected to the toxins in second-hand smoke for years, as well as spouses/friends who accompany smoking gamblers into toxin-filled spaces. SMOKE-FREE STAR could start today - just toss out the ashtrays and put up the signs - smokers (most of whom want to quit) are accustomed to going outside - we know that the Gaming Industry wants smokers not to have to leave "their" machines to go outside to smoke and think about their losses.

24.01.2022 Fahey left an Olympic stamp on politics John Fahey John Fahey was universally praised by both sides of politics. Andrew Taylor Andrew ClarkSenior writer...Continue reading

24.01.2022 Theres no basic "right to smoke", and those who do smoke can use approved alternatives, such as patches, gums, sprays and lozenges. What did they use when travelling anyway? Everybody must use nose and/or mouth to breathe - they have NO ALTERNATIVE.

23.01.2022 It would be terrific to be rid of Nicotine Nick Greiner , former Head Honcho of British American Australia for three years, but our American friends already have enough odium to deal with.

22.01.2022 Nobody Smokes Here Anymore.

21.01.2022 Many of Tasmania's Health and Political Leaders have led the push against Tobacco over many years. Thank you, Kathy Barnsley and Ivan Dean, and others. This Message will hopefully hit the spot, especially needed while lungs and hearts are potentially compromised during COVID19 and Bush-fire times. Note the smoking outdoor workers - why should anyone be allowed to smoke near other workers? Outdoors doesn't mean safe. Tobacco kills 20,000 Australians each year. Bring on the End Game.

21.01.2022 Anyhow - Hogans no Hero - he and mates Singleton and MoJo Advertising sucked in thousands of Australians whose Windfailed lungs were destroyed by tobacco. Quote: "We dont smoke that s##t - we just sell it - we reserve that right for the young, the poor, the black and the stupid"

20.01.2022 Gambling at Pubs and Clubs, especially in New South Wales, is toxic. We're told that our State has one tenth of the World's poker machines! What a proud achievement! Not! Clubs dribble out funds to needy charities and sporting clubs - bring the recipients into the clubs to see where it's coming from - they can't show those pokies dens to the youngsters of course and the grateful recipients don't realise the real, sickening cost of those "donations"- the damage from gambling, ...boozing and smoking. Why do Clubs provide those funds? Is it out of the "kindness of their goodness"? Naah! They simply get a lower rate of tax on their whopping gaming profits. We've called on NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard again and again to ban smoking at the shonky 75% enclosed/legally unenclosed spaces -per the Smoke-free Environment Act. Low-paid mostly young casual workers take drinks and snacks, clean ashtrays and tend machines, just so the gamers don't need to go to the true "outside" to smoke. The only thing they don't do is wipe their bums. The second-hand tobacco smoke from gamblers, straight into the lungs of those workers, is toxic. And yet, Minister Hazzard says, 'hand on heart' - " THERE IS NO SAFE LEVEL OF EXPOSURE TO SECOND-HAND TOBACCO SMOKE"

19.01.2022 20,000 Australians die from tobacco each year. Everybody has the right to breathe clean air, free from the well-documented toxins is second-hand tobacco smoke Multi-unit housing (Social/public housing, Retirement Villages, Strata/Units) must all be totally smoke-free to preclude smoke-seepage within buildings and smoke-drift around buildings affecting neighbours).... Nobody should smoke in the home where others are present: pregnant women, infants, small children, frail-aged, people living with disabilities - everyone. No smoking at work (indoors or outdoors) within ten meters of another worker. No smoking in vehicles - no ash-trays in modern vehicles, smoking is a complex process, and billions of butts being tossed is environmentally hazardous and starts multiple fires. No lighting up during total Fire Bans. Smokers have easy, affordable access to approved alternative nicotine replacement products - gum, spray, lozenges and patches, which harm neither themselves nor others. Non-smokers have no alternatives - they must use mouth and nose to breathe. Minister Greg Hunt has promised a measly $25 million over four years to "encourage" Australias 2,500,000 smokers to quit. Get real Minister Hunt. That wont buy the lunches for the Strategists meetups. Two percent by 2025 is a far better aim - ten percent is far too slow a decline.

19.01.2022 Smoking during pregnancy affects both mother and baby. (Information from Aust Health 30/7/2020 long term damage to the lungs, brain and blood for example, your baby may develop asthma or suffer from pneumonia. A baby exposed to tobacco smoke in the womb and through second-hand smoke as an infant is more likely to develop type 2 diabetes, heart disease, kidney disease and be obese as an adult.) Our Movement will contact ACT Health to offer funds to support smoke-free pregnancies.

19.01.2022 Nicotine Nick Greiner's so-called allowances should have stopped as soon as he started producing tobacco following his short stint as Premier of NSW. How much should he pay for the lives lost during almost eight years in that odious industry, finishing as Head Honcho of British American Tobacco Australia? And now he's heading off to New York, representing Australia as Consul General. SHAMING US.

19.01.2022 There's no basic "right to smoke", and those who do smoke can use approved alternatives, such as patches, gums, sprays and lozenges. What did they use when travelling anyway? Everybody must use nose and/or mouth to breathe - they have NO ALTERNATIVE.

18.01.2022 As noted earlier today - price rises are still the most effective method of getting smoking rates down, but all Australias governments must work together to bring rates among Australias 2,500,000 smokers down to such a level that only a single digit percentage of licensed smokers will be able to purchase from licensed, specialist tobacconists ( not at every corner shop, supermarket, petrol station, newsagent,pub or club), and they will only smoke where the toxins in their ...second-hand tobacco smoke do not affect others, and potentially trigger life-threatening conditions, such as asthma, Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, Chronic Obstructive pulmonary Disease, etc. The world was told in 1950 - 70 years ago - that tobacco kills. Tobacco kills over 20,000 Australians annually. There is already an Exit Strategy for COVID19. Where/when is Australias Governments Tobacco Exit Strategy? See more

18.01.2022 News from New Zealand Aotearoa July 2020 Smokers support Smokefree 2025 goal and measures to help achieve it Most people who smoke or have recently quit smoking support New Zealands goal of becoming a smokefree nation by 2025, researchers at the University of Otago, Wellington have found. They also support many of the specific measures that smokefree practitioners and researchers believe are needed to achieve the goal....Continue reading

18.01.2022 Carla Zampatti died today 3 April 2021, aged 78. From 1998 to 2001, she was a director of British American Tobacco Australia. "Anyone helping to hold the reins at a tobacco company since the 1960s has done so with their eyes wide open to the consequences of their efforts being successful. Simon Chapman - former Professor for Public Health, Sydney University. Many young women whom she would have encouraged to regard smoking as an essential fashionable activity, have long since died , and not from falling downstairs. Theirs will have been a slow and painful and lonely death, triggered by addiction to nicotine, and flogged to them by Big Tobacco, by Carla Zampatti, by "Nicotine" Nick Greiner (now Australia's New York Consul General) and the late Sir Roden Cutler.

16.01.2022 At last the potential damage which links smoking with coronavirus is mentioned (Par. 12). Australians were advised of these dangers very early in the Coronavirus crisis. Not mentioned by the author is the danger of smoking in multi-unit public housing where the potentially deadly toxins in second-hand tobacco smoke travel/seep from one point of generation in a building to all other areas of the building - this is called Smoke Seepage. Once exposed, all other building occup...ants are at risk for chronic cardiopulmonary and carcinogenic adverse health effects, such as asthma, SIDS (Sudden Infant death Syndrome), COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) and Lung Cancer. Additionally Smoke Drift, where the toxins travel around the outside then enter the building through window, door and balcony openings bring identical dangers. Smokers have easy, discounted/free access to approved alternative nicotine products (patches, gum, sprays and lozenges), which cause no harm to themselves or others. Non-smokers have no alternative - they must use mouth and/or nose to breathe. Additionally Public Housing tenants have no alternative homes - they nowhere else to go. Smoking can, and should, be banned in all multi-unit housing - everyone has the right to breathe clean air, free from the potentially deadly toxins, especially babies, children, disabled people, and the frail aged. Bring on the COVID Inquiry regarding Public Housing.

14.01.2022 Let's talk about tobacco in Australia. One reason for smoking rates stalling is that it's still far too easy to obtain tobacco - it's easier to buy smokes than bread or milk - you simply rock up to the front counter of any supermarket, corner shop, newsagent, tobacconist, petrol station, pub or club. You don't need to go right down to the back of the shop, as with bread and milk. You only need to flash yours or a friend's license (IF YOU ARE ASKED FOR IT), and you are served very quickly because the business owner is competing for your "tobacco-dollar" - there's so much competition out there between those businesses. Our governments MUST make it more difficult to obtain this product - you know - the one which kills more Australians than anything else.

14.01.2022 "An online Article from InSight 18 May 2020 "Exit strategy: we can do it for COVID-19, why not tobacco ?" by Emeritus Prof. MIKE DAUBE and Prof. ROB MOODIE Quote:"COVID-19 was first identified in Dec. 2019 and declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization in March 2020. " 70 years ago in May 1950 - proof that smoking causes deadly lung cancer. 20,000 Australian deaths each year. Health Ministers We demand an Exit Strategy from Tobacco."

13.01.2022 GPs your waiting rooms are already full with victims of BigTobacco, both users and those assaulted by second-hand tobacco smoke. With 2, 500,000 smokers in Australia, 20,000 deaths annually, and obscene rates of smoking amongst our indigenous Australians, all levels of Government must brace and end this long-term Pandemic.

12.01.2022 Nicotine Nick Greiners so-called allowances should have stopped as soon as he started producing tobacco following his short stint as Premier of NSW. How much should he pay for the lives lost during almost eight years in that odious industry, finishing as Head Honcho of British American Tobacco Australia? And now hes heading off to New York, representing Australia as Consul General. SHAMING US.

12.01.2022 Watching with interest and enthusiasm the Gambling Reform Am a Member of Dee Why RSL - raise questions at every Annual General Meeting about workers' safety and about gaming. Just sent letter to Editor Sydney Morning Herald :(Unlikely allies back gambling card for pokies, SMH 6Oct2020.) Thousands of workers continue to suck in toxic second-hand tobacco smoke in shonky outdoors/unenclosed gambling rooms at most pubs and clubs in NSW. They need and deserve even more prote...ction than a gambling card. Cate: Those "back" rooms are legal (NSW Smoke-free Environment Act!!), but toxic (75% enclosed). We know they keep the smoking gamblers from leaving their machines and going to the "true outside" to smoke and possibly not return. The only thing the workers don't do is wipe the gamblers' bums. We would appreciate you fighting for those workers' rights - their Union doesn't speak up - say they're in fear of losing jobs. Margaret Hogge (Pres.) Non-Smokers' Movement of Australia Inc. 0419 257 605 See more

12.01.2022 Per Health Minister Greg Hunt in 2019: Tobacco kills 20,000 Australians per year. Doctors have known for 70 years that tobacco kills and for about 50 years that second-hand tobacco smoke can trigger deadly diseases such as SUIDS (Sudden Unexplained Infant Death Syndrome), COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease), Heart attacks, and other heart and lung diseases, including Childhood Asthma. All Health Ministers in Australia advise there is no safe level of exposure to sec...ond-hand tobacco smoke. Tobacco may be a legally available product but, like cars, guns and chainsaws, there are restrictions on where they may be used. There is no basic right to smoke, but there is a right to breathe clean air, free from potentially deadly toxins. There is no legal obligation on any organisation to provide a smoking space. We must de-normalise smoking in children’s eyes there is nothing normal or grown-up about smoking, and now, with smoking banned indoors in most public places, smoking outdoors should also be restricted, especially near children and near anyone with health issues. Smokers now have easy access to approved alternative products (patches, gums, lozenges and sprays) which neither harm smokers nor others nearby. Non-smokers have no alternative to breathing they must use mouth and nose to breathe. Restrict sales: tobacco is sold without a license from every corner- shop, every petrol-station, newsagent, supermarket, pub and club, and tobacconist. Should be restricted like alcohol sales. Nobody under 18 allowed in store. Tossed butts start fires. In the interests of fire safety and cleanliness, smokers should be obliged to carry a personal butt-bin/ashtray at all times, or risk a fine (similar to pet-owners being obliged to carry doggy-doo bags.) Councils are responsible for the cleanliness of the water they should (and can) take responsibility for clean air, free from toxins. See more

12.01.2022 Comment 16Aug2020 "As NSW premier from 1988 to 1992, Greiner took the portfolio of Aboriginal Affairs for himself. He was anxious to improve Indigenous wellbeing. This is where he makes his second open admission of failure. He cheers on all possible efforts to "close the gap" between black and white longevity and living standards." What a joke, with Greiners more recent spell in Big Tobacco which would have contributed to increasing that gap - see next: Hon. Scott Morri...son Prime Minister of Australia 28 June2020 Canberra Appointment of former Australian CEO Tobacco- Pusher to Consul-General Position in USA Dear Prime Minister Would you please explain whether Mr. Nick Greiners former long-term position as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of tobacco producers and sellers WD&HO Wills and British American Tobacco Australia (BATA), from 1996 to 2004, and his apparent lack of contrition for, and lack of apology to the thousands of Australians whose lives have been lost or whose health has been irreparably damaged by using those companys products or by exposure to the toxins in those products second-hand smoke, were taken into account when he was offered the position of New Yorks Consul General? Australias Governments were warned seventy years ago, in May 1950, that smoking kills. As long-time activists fighting for everybodys right to breathe clean air free from the toxins in second-hand smoke, and fighting against Big Tobaccos influence on government decision-making, Non-Smokers Movement of Australia urges you and your Government to re-consider this offer before the relevant person nicks off to New York and brings shame not only on Australias Government, but also on Australias people. Yours sincerely, (Ms.) Margaret Hogge President, Non-Smokers Movement of Australia Inc. This comment is as respectful possible, considering the circumstances, and is specifically tailored to provide information and to add to current debate.

11.01.2022 Now that all the gushing tributes are hopefully out of the way, some truth-telling is surely needed. Zampatti held a Directorship on the board of major tobacco Giant, British American Tobacco Australia, these drug-pushers already being aware, since the early 1950s that tobacco kills. Zampatti expended 130 words in her book describing that part of her career, not once mentioning the deadliness of the product, nor that nicotine is more addictive than heroin, nor an apology or recompense for the lives lost by smokers and by others assaulted by the toxins in second-hand tobacco smoke. 20,000 Australians are killed, slowly and painfully, by tobacco each year. 2,500,000 Australians continue to smoke. Thanks Carla.

11.01.2022 No more child-friendly menthol-flavoured cigarettes to be sold in Ireland. Its terrific that at last menthol cigarettes are banned in Ireland, but why did it take so long? Big Tobacco, of course would have thrown everything at the Irish Government to fight this. Quoting Big Tobacco "We dont smoke that SHIT - we just sell it - we reserve that right for the YOUNG, the POOR, the BLACK and the STUPID". Young people are especially attracted to more "palatable" menthol flavourin...g. Now - who can explain the seven images of smoking attached to this article? Not exactly helpful for anyone who wants to quit and who is reading this article. Get smoking out of sight, and out of smell. If you can smell tobacco smoke, then the potentially deadly toxins are going into your lungs and doing harm. We are still immensely grateful to the Irish Health Minister and the Irish Government for leading the World in March 2004, declaring all indoor workplaces smoke-free. Thank you.

11.01.2022 Congratulations to Tasmanian Independent MP Ivan Dean for his wonderful work to help prevent young people from getting hooked by Big Tobacco, whom we quote thus: "We dont smoke that s**t - we just sell it. We reserve that right for the young, the poor, the black and the stupid". Non-Smokers Movement of Australia Inc. called on all Health Ministers in early April 2020 to increase funding and make every effort to help smokers to quit - less smoking means less toxic second-ha...nd tobacco smoke from the 2,500,000 smokers around Australia and, of course, less tobacco-related deaths. Four responses so far are negative. In October 2019, when Australias Health Minister Greg Hunt announced to Oceania Tobacco Control Conference that smoking costs this nation $137 billion (Income is approx.$17 billion) and that tobacco kills about 20,000 Australians annually, he announced an increase in funding for Quitting Messages to a total of $25 million for four years! With respect, Health Minister Hunt - thats peanuts. We were advised at that same conference that the minimum needed would be between $30million and $40 million per year. With potentially more danger from COVID-19 to smokers and everyone near them, we must highlight the Elephant into the room but stop feeding it peanuts. See more

11.01.2022 Always good news when funding is made available to help smokers escape their potentially deadly addiction. Less smoking alos means less second-hand tobacco smoke being sucked in by family, friends and others nearby. smokers rights stop at their lips. Hoping these smokers will find the funding helpful - 90 % of smokers want to quit.

11.01.2022 Terrific to have rooftops and lane-ways made available for outdoor dining, but let's be really positive about this - declare every space totally smoke-free (and vape-free), for the health and safety of not only non-smokers and passers-by AND staff, but also for smokers, the majority of whom (over 80%) have tried to escape smoking/nicotine addiction and all of whom have been advised to quit NOW due to the extra potential danger of COVID19 complications. Every Health Minister says "There is no safe level of exposure to second-hand tobacco smoke". And another thing - Keep smoking out of sight - we need to de-normalise smoking in children's eyes.

10.01.2022 Great news for everyone except Big Tobacco in New Zealand. It was difficult to understand the delay - something about concentrating on Smoke-free 2025, but the children of New Zealand deserved better - and shouldnt have been forced to wait, sucking in those toxins.. Good on you - all you parent groups who pushed on for this safe, sensible regulation. Be safe.

10.01.2022 Quote from Big Tobacco executive 1980's "We don't smoke that s**t - we just sell it. We reserve that right for the young, the poor, the black and the stupid". Enough said.

10.01.2022 Listen to what Simon says (Prof.Simon Chapman that is). The suggested prescriptions would maybe restrict access to cigarettes but how many doctors and pharmacists will be willing to join such a scheme? Simon Chapman's "Smoker's License", a bar-coded card indicating a smoker's personal limit, and embedded with an incentive to quit, will work much better. And tobacco would only be available from specialist licensed tobacconists (with access by adults only), restricted geographically. - i.e. not available at every corner-shop, newsagent, supermarket, pub, petrol-station and club.

10.01.2022 You call that a good day, Minister Hazzard? Now will you take a breath to legislate and reduce the annual toll from tobacco - over 6000 deaths. License sellers and license smokers, and protect workers, babies, everyone from the deadly toxins in second-hand tobacco smoke.

10.01.2022 Strangely, the writer fails to mention "Nicotine" Nicks long-term (almost 8 years) career as a Head Honcho in Big Tobacco in Australia (WD and HO Wills, and BATA (British American Tobacco Australia). But does take a meaningful, if misleading, quote from Greiner, spouting Nicks warm and fuzzy feelings for Australian Aboriginal people and Closing the Gap. I nearly spewed, as anyone would, knowing the disastrous damage which tobacco has wrought, especially on our Indigenous Australians.

09.01.2022 Thousands of known and unknown chemicals make up the myriad of vaping flavours so far available. Many are extremely risky. Even worse- many are not tested - they are unknown but they are easily available. Smokers (and vapers) rights stop at their lips.

09.01.2022 Cuba relies on tobacco sales to keep their economy afloat. The Government propaganda unit justifies the high death rate with lies and half truths. https://havanatimes.org//cancer-in-cuba-the-other-side-of/

09.01.2022 Many of Tasmanias Health and Political Leaders have led the push against Tobacco over many years. Thank you, Kathy Barnsley and Ivan Dean, and others. This Message will hopefully hit the spot, especially needed while lungs and hearts are potentially compromised during COVID19 and Bush-fire times. Note the smoking outdoor workers - why should anyone be allowed to smoke near other workers? Outdoors doesnt mean safe. Tobacco kills 20,000 Australians each year. Bring on the End Game.

09.01.2022 No more child-friendly menthol-flavoured cigarettes to be sold in Ireland. It's terrific that at last menthol cigarettes are banned in Ireland, but why did it take so long? Big Tobacco, of course would have thrown everything at the Irish Government to fight this. Quoting Big Tobacco "We don't smoke that SHIT - we just sell it - we reserve that right for the YOUNG, the POOR, the BLACK and the STUPID". Young people are especially attracted to more "palatable" menthol flavourin...g. Now - who can explain the seven images of smoking attached to this article? Not exactly helpful for anyone who wants to quit and who is reading this article. Get smoking out of sight, and out of smell. If you can smell tobacco smoke, then the potentially deadly toxins are going into your lungs and doing harm. We are still immensely grateful to the Irish Health Minister and the Irish Government for leading the World in March 2004, declaring all indoor workplaces smoke-free. Thank you.

09.01.2022 So, Big Tobacco - you know where to place your oh-so-seductive heated sticks, we respectfully presume.

08.01.2022 That seemingly low percentage rate (14%) translates, according to Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt, to approx. 2,500,000 Australians still smoking - thats an awful lot of toxic second-hand tobacco smoke to avoid. Tobacco kills over 20,000 Australians annually, costing $137 billion.(Per Minister Hunt). Why are 2,500,000 Australians still smoking? Its far too easy to buy, not enough smoke-free designated areas, and the incentives to quit are not being spelled out often enoug...h. (Vaping produces very questionable/unknown chemicals and attracts/introduces young non-smokers to potentially deadly nicotine addiction). Some solutions: 1.More than the measly $ 6.25 million per year ($25 million over four years) on promoting quitting. Experts advise that $30 - 40 million per year is needed to reach most smokers and to convince a large proportion to quit smoking/escape their addiction.. 2. Make tobacco far less available - tobacco, far deadlier by numbers than alcohol, guns, and road deaths, is currently sold, in some states without a licence, at any corner shop, supermarket, petrol station, fruit market, newsagent, pub or club. Sales must be restricted to a greatly limited number of licensed, registered tobacco specialists. 3. Smoker - licence system ( See Prof.Simon Chapmans You- Tube) restricting users to self-imposed quantities, with inbuilt incentives to quit. 4. Far more smoke-free designated areas, primarily to protect the unborn, infants, children, disabled people, and frail-aged. No smoking in the home where a non-smoker resides. No smoking in multi-unit housing everywhere - public/social housing, retirement villages, strata and units (protecting all from smoke-seepage within buildings and smoke-drift around and into buildings.) Smoke-free Central Districts, at every business and entertainment hub. Smokers now have easy, affordable access to approved nicotine replacement products (patches, gums, sprays and lozenges) which harm neither themselves nor others. Non-smokers have no alternatives - they must use mouth and nose to breathe.

07.01.2022 The Latest: WHO says smoking linked to higher risk of virus Posted: Jul 2, 2020 5:02 AM CDT by Associated Press... LONDON The World Health Organization says smoking is linked to a higher risk of severe illness and death from the coronavirus in hospitalized patients, although it was unable to specify exactly how much greater those risks might be. In a scientific brief published this week, the U.N. health agency reviewed 34 published studies on the association between smoking and COVID-19, including the probability of infection, hospitalization, severity of disease and death. WHO noted that smokers represent up to 18% of hospitalized coronavirus patients and that there appeared to be a significant link between whether or not patients smoked and the severity of disease they suffered, the type of hospital interventions required and patients risk of dying. In April, French researchers released a small study suggesting smokers were at less risk of catching COVID-19 and planned to test nicotine patches on patients and health workers but their findings were questioned by many scientists at the time who cited the lack of definitive data. WHO says the available evidence suggests that smoking is associated with increased severity of disease and death in hospitalized COVID-19 patients. It recommends that smokers quit.

06.01.2022 445000 Queenslanders still smoking (almost half a million)! That's far too many and far too much stinking toxic tobacco smoke to have to avoid. Ministers for Health MUST make tobacco less available and must put it out of sight of children - de-normalise smoking - There's nothing normal about smoking. And. spend some of the tax billions to help those half million to escape their addiction.

06.01.2022 Anyhow - Hogan's no Hero - he and mates Singleton and MoJo Advertising sucked in thousands of Australians whose Windfailed lungs were destroyed by tobacco. Quote: "We don't smoke that s##t - we just sell it - we reserve that right for the young, the poor, the black and the stupid"

05.01.2022 Strangely, the writer fails to mention "Nicotine" Nick's long-term (almost 8 years) career as a Head Honcho in Big Tobacco in Australia (WD and HO Wills, and BATA (British American Tobacco Australia). But does take a meaningful, if misleading, quote from Greiner, spouting Nick's warm and fuzzy feelings for Australian Aboriginal people and Closing the Gap. I nearly spewed, as anyone would, knowing the disastrous damage which tobacco has wrought, especially on our Indigenous Australians.

05.01.2022 Maybe now some more workplaces will protect their workers. And maybe State Health Ministers will protect other workers OUTDOORS at smoking-allowed cafes, and INDOORS at shonky "unenclosed" gaming rooms, and in theatres where smoking can still occur on the stage, filling tiny theatres with toxins. Smoke-free regulations are in dire need of tightening up.... Dr.Pritzwald - Stegmanns legacy should not be that many hospital workers think smoke-free hospital grounds are an impossibility.

05.01.2022 Tasmania - you can be heroes!!! Remember the old quote from BigTobacco "we don't smoke that s * * t - we just sell it. We reserve that right for the young, the poor , the black and the stupid". And Big Tobacco has never changed its spots. We must protect children, everyone, from tobacco - it is very addictive - more so than heroin. And it kills.... It's available to purchase at every corner shop, supermarket, newsagent, tobacconist, pub and club, and petrol station. This must stop. 2,500,000 Australians smoke, with the potentially deadly emissions from their second-hand tobacco smoke affecting everybody nearby. Tobacco kills 20,000 Australians per year.

05.01.2022 It was a safe bet that smoking would return to the shonky, 75% enclosed "outdoors" gaming rooms at pubs and clubs. And its back in all its toxic fury. Most pub and club workers have led smoke-free lives during lockdown but have returned to toxic second-hand tobacco smoke straight into their lungs when they service machines, clean ashtrays, bring drinks and snacks to smoking gamers in the legal (NSW Smoke-free Environment Act) gaming back-rooms. Health Minister Brad Hazzard - stop this health hazard.

05.01.2022 Melbourne University discussion (one hour) https://echo360.org.au//c6b5b791-d0cc-4d74-94ea-de4/public

04.01.2022 there's no evidence that vaping is safe. Smokers and never-smokers are getting hooked on nicotine - more addictive than heroin. Big Tobacco laughing - this dangerous distraction is available everywhere - it's so easy to buy nicotine online.

04.01.2022 Gambling at Pubs and Clubs, especially in New South Wales, is toxic. Were told that our State has one tenth of the Worlds poker machines! What a proud achievement! Not! Clubs dribble out funds to needy charities and sporting clubs - bring the recipients into the clubs to see where its coming from - they cant show those pokies dens to the youngsters of course and the grateful recipients dont realise the real, sickening cost of those "donations"- the damage from gambling, ...boozing and smoking. Why do Clubs provide those funds? Is it out of the "kindness of their goodness"? Naah! They simply get a lower rate of tax on their whopping gaming profits. Weve called on NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard again and again to ban smoking at the shonky 75% enclosed/legally unenclosed spaces -per the Smoke-free Environment Act. Low-paid mostly young casual workers take drinks and snacks, clean ashtrays and tend machines, just so the gamers dont need to go to the true "outside" to smoke. The only thing they dont do is wipe their bums. The second-hand tobacco smoke from gamblers, straight into the lungs of those workers, is toxic. And yet, Minister Hazzard says, hand on heart - " THERE IS NO SAFE LEVEL OF EXPOSURE TO SECOND-HAND TOBACCO SMOKE"

04.01.2022 Drop the Jargon Day 20 October 2020

03.01.2022 New South Wales has about one tenth of the Worlds poker machines, so this dreadful outcome was a pretty sure bet. You can also bet that Big Gamblings movers and shakers will desperately hold onto the remaining poor sods, addicted to gambling, alcohol and tobacco. Gamblers in pubs and clubs are cossetted constantly, with free drinks and snacks and being allowed to smoke continuously in shonky "unenclosed"/ 75% enclosed gaming rooms (allowed by the NSW Smoke-Free Environment... Act!) . The toxic second-hand smoke drifts directly into the lungs of workers who bring drinks and snacks, service machines and clean ashtrays. The only task they dont perform is to wipe their bums. This small financial slap on the wrist wont stop Big Gambling from twisting gullible, power-hungry politicians arms.

03.01.2022 Maybe you haven't heard about "Nicotine" Nick Greiner's stint as Head Honcho (CEO) of British American Tobacco Australia for about eight years after he had been Premier and already knew that tobacco kills. Some "person of character" !

03.01.2022 Information from Brisbane Times re wearing a face mask during Covid19 "Smokers can take off their mask to inhale a cigarette, as long as they are following current laws on smoking in public places. But health authorities warn the act of smoking means fingers are in contact with a person's lips, which increases the possibility of the transmission of the virus from hand to mouth." Smoking should not be allowed in public places - lungs are already at risk from Covid19, and the ...toxins in second-hand tobacco smoke trigger asthma and other potentially deadly heart and lung diseases, including COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease). Smoke travels at least ten metres. There is no "basic right to smoke" and there is no obligation to provide a space for smoking, but there is an obligation on our Health Authorities to protect everybody from known toxins. Our Health Ministers should take this opportunity to help Australia's 2,500,000 smokers to quit. Tobacco kills 20,000 Australians each year and costs our economy $137 billion, according to Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt.(Oct 2019).

03.01.2022 Belated Congratulations to the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners for gaining Global Recognition from World Health Organisation for their excellent smoking cessation programs and advice. Now, with 2,500,000 smokers in Australia, and 20,000 deaths annually, we need your voices to call for the Exit Strategy from the World Tobacco Pandemic, as outlined by Emeritus Professor Mike Daube and Professor Rob Moodie "Exit strategy: we can do it for COVID-19, why not Toba...cco?" 21 May 2020. The world was advised 70 years ago, in May 1950, that smoking causes lung cancer. GPs - please use your very considerable and respected voices to demand the Exit Strategy now.

02.01.2022 Post from EmergencyWA (WesternAustralia) Q: Can I smoke cigarettes, cigars, or tobacco during a Total Fire Ban? A: Yes, if you dispose of it appropriately. Discarding a burning cigarette, cigar, tobacco or match is considered to be an activity that is likely to cause a fire. Under the Bush Fires Act 1954, inappropriate disposal of a burning cigarette, cigar, tobacco or match during the Restricted and Prohibited Burning Times attracts a penalty of $5,000.... During a Total Fire Ban, any person who disposes of burning tobacco, or a burning cigarette, cigar or match in circumstances that is likely to set fire to the bush, including by throwing it from a vehicle, may receive an infringement of $1,000, or upon conviction receive a penalty of of $25,000 and/or 12 months in jail. NSMA Inc. vehemently objects that smoking is allowed during Total Fire Bans. SMOKERS HAVE NON-COMBUSTIBLE ALTERNATIVES - PATCHES, GUMS, LOZENGES AND SPRAYS WHICH THEY CAN USE, AND WHICH DONT START FIRES.

02.01.2022 New South Wales has about one tenth of the World's poker machines, so this dreadful outcome was a pretty sure bet. You can also bet that Big Gambling's movers and shakers will desperately hold onto the remaining poor sods, addicted to gambling, alcohol and tobacco. Gamblers in pubs and clubs are cossetted constantly, with free drinks and snacks and being allowed to smoke continuously in shonky "unenclosed"/ 75% enclosed gaming rooms (allowed by the NSW Smoke-Free Environment... Act!) . The toxic second-hand smoke drifts directly into the lungs of workers who bring drinks and snacks, service machines and clean ashtrays. The only task they don't perform is to wipe their bums. This small financial slap on the wrist won't stop Big Gambling from twisting gullible, power-hungry politicians' arms.

02.01.2022 We are currently including this concept in our Australia-wide mail-out to every federal and state politician around the nation.Other concepts include "dissuasive sticks" where warning messages are printed on ugly- coloured cigarettes (those messages continue to the last puff), and calling for further research into the vaccination against nicotine addiction. Plus, of course, demanding clean, smoke-free air, everywhere, free from the potentially deadly toxins in second-hand tobacco smoke. Oh - and sue the bastards in Big Tobacco to pay for the damage done and to cover future health costs. 2,500,000 Australians smoke. Tobacco kills 20,000 Australians each year, costing our nation $137 billion annually.(per Federal Minister for Health Greg Hunt, October 2019)

01.01.2022 With regard to convincing kids not to smoke, the most successful methods have been to aim quitting messages at adults, since kids take up smoking to show they are "grown-up". I was riding ponies at 14 and the Marlboro Man billboard got me smoking. Fortunately I quit cold turkey by age 23. Tobacco, more addictive than heroin, is still far too available and greets us upfront of every corner-shop, supermarket, petrol station, newsagent, pub and club, none of them requiring ...a licence to sell the deadliest product in the world (including 20,000 each year in Australia, per Health Minister Greg Hunt). Kids dont believe the signs SMOKING KILLS, to which should be added SLOWLY, PAINFULLY, AND OUT-OF-SIGHT. Im 72 and only saw one person die from tobacco a 45 year old prison guard who copped lung cancer from working in prisons for 20 years, prior to smoking bans. Health Minister Greg Hunt 102 have died in Australia from COVID-19 and you have an Exit Strategy. Weve known for 70 years, since May1950, that tobacco kills we need the Tobacco Exit Strategy NOW, to help slam shut that gaping gap between indigenous and other Australians life-spans. That strategy could include Professor Simon Chapmans You-tube concept of a Smokers Licence/prescription with inbuilt financial incentives to quit. ( About 90% of smokers have tried quitting). Quoting Big Tobacco: "We dont smoke that s**t, we just sell it. We reserve that right for the young the poor, the black and the stupid".

01.01.2022 Great ban vaping products due to the unknown dangers to users and to those nearby. But keep your eyes on the ball, Health Ministers. Watch out for Big Tobacco distractions. Tobacco kills 20,000 Australians each year, from smoking and toxic second-hand smoke. Ministers - ramp up funding for safe Quitting. And declare those stinking smoking areas smoke-free.