Preventative Health Minister opens up about smoking addiction as illegal tobacco rates soar

4 hours ago 3

Preventative Health Minister Sabine Winton has opened up about her battle with nicotine addiction as debate rages over the state’s growing tobacco problem.

Winton’s smoking has been thrust into the debate after it was revealed smoking rates had increased for the first time in 30 years last financial year – up from 10 to 12 per cent in two years – at the same time there was a growth in the sales of illegal tobacco.

Forecasts in 2017 predicted the smoking rate would be as low as five per cent by 2028.

Education and Preventative health Minister Sabine Winton.

Winton said she didn’t want to be a smoker and was grateful her daughters never picked it up.

“I don’t think there’s too many smokers that are happy to be smokers. I’ve declared my addiction to nicotine, and the battle is real every morning. I’m very thankful that my daughters don’t smoke,” she told Radio 6PR.

Asked whether she was comfortable with her habit being drawn into the debate she said: “yes and no”.

“I suppose because a part of having a nicotine addiction, there’s a fair bit of shame attached to it,” she said.

“If you talk to most smokers, it’s not something anyone’s proud of, and it’s not actually something anybody wants to be doing – give me something magic right now, and I’ll take it from you.

“I’m happy about that conversation, because I think that’s perhaps what also needs to happen with young people.

“I’m not sure, necessarily, when you’re young, being told that you’re going to die early is of any consequence and I think maybe actually talking to people who have lived experience of addiction and the challenges that creates is also very powerful.”

Winton said she was approaching her role as preventative health minister – which includes reduction of smoking under its remit – in a similar fashion she approached it with her daughters.

“As as a mum, and also knowing the challenges and battles of nicotine addiction, my focus in particular, in the same way as it was for me as a mother, is to make sure that we continue to invest in important preventative health messages,” she said.

The Australian Council of Smoking and Health released a report yesterday which found half of Perth’s corner shops were selling illegal tobacco and described its current laws as “toothless” to stop it.

“Illegal tobacco and vapes are being sold in broad daylight — proudly displayed in glass cabinets and listed on laminated menus,” ACOSH chief executive Laura Hunter said.

“There’s no pretense, no fear of being caught, and very few enforceable penalties when they are.”

This prompted criticism from opposition police spokesman Adam Hort that the state was dragging its feet on the issue which was allowing more young people to pick up the habit.

Hort moved a matter of public interest condemning the Cook government for failing to introduce legislation giving health and police more powers to shut down retailers selling illegal tobacco.

Hort pointed to laws in South Australia in June which has allowed them shut down dozens of illegal tobacco outlets.

“The Police Commissioner, the Cancer Council and the AMA have all sounded the alarm, warning that WA’s laws are too weak and enforcement too limited to stop the explosion of illegal tobacco and vape sales,” he said.

“Illicit tobacco isn’t a victimless trade. It funds organised crime, fuels arson attacks and violent robberies, and places retail workers and small businesses directly in harm’s way.

“WA Labor’s inaction is creating the perfect environment for criminal networks to move into and strengthen their foothold Western Australia, and the safety of our communities will ultimately pay the price.”

The state government plans to introduce tougher legislation to crack down on illegal tobacco and vape sales but has provided no timeframe on when it will be introduced.

Health Minister Meredith Hammat said the work was happening.

“When those laws are ready to be introduced, they will be introduced, but we want to make sure that such laws are robust and rigorous and among the best in Australia,” she said.

“Our objective will be to make sure that we not only consider provisions that have been introduced in other states, but also draft them in a way that we know they will withstand the challenges that may come.”

Australian Medical Association WA president Kyle Hoath said it was unacceptable that illegal tobacco and vapes are so readily available, especially near schools, and that current laws are failing to protect the health of Western Australians.

“A whole-of-government approach is needed to bolster the Tobacco Products Control Act 2006 (WA) and related legislation to provide regulators and law enforcement agencies with stronger enforcement and tougher penalties for offenders,” he said.

“Sadly, WA lags behind the eastern states in this regard.”

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