Advancing Strong Tobacco and Vaping Policy Through Government Leadership
ACOSH works towards an Australia free from tobacco and nicotine addiction. Achieving this requires sustained government leadership, coordinated action across jurisdictions, and a firm commitment to protecting public health from commercial interests.
Australia has made significant progress in reducing smoking rates, but these gains are fragile. The rapid evolution of nicotine products, the growth of illicit markets, and ongoing industry influence mean there is no room for complacency.
To protect hard-won achievements and protect a new generation from nicotine addiction -tobacco, vaping, and nicotine control must remain a priority for federal, state and local governments. The implementation of comprehensive tobacco control programs has aimed to reduce the enormous harms of smoking to individuals and societies and a robust body of evidence supports the substantial impact of these policies on reducing tobacco use and improving population health.
World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control
In line with the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC), there are six groups of tobacco control measures that aim to reduce demand for tobacco, represented by the MPOWER acronym:
- Monitoring tobacco use and prevention policies
- Protecting people from tobacco smoke
- Offering help to quit tobacco use
- Warning about the dangers of tobacco
- Enforcing bans on tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship
- Raising taxes on tobacco.
Strong measures and policy requires constant reinforcement. Without ongoing leadership, tobacco control measures risk being weakened, delayed or undermined.
ACOSH remains committed to working with governments to ensure tobacco control remains a public health priority now and into the future.
ACOSH’s Approach to Government Relations
ACOSH works constructively with governments at all levels to support strong, evidence‑based tobacco and vaping policy. Coordinated national approaches, supported by strong state and territory implementation, are essential to achieving lasting public health outcomes.
Our government relations approach is grounded in collaboration, credibility and public health expertise. We:
- Provide independent, evidence-informed advice to policymakers, contributing to policy roundtables, consultations and formal hearings
- Engage with ministers, parliamentarians and public officials
- Contribute to policy development, legislative reform and regulatory reviews
- Advocate for consistent, coordinated approaches across jurisdictions
- Elevate public health voices in policy debates including in the media and public spaces
ACOSH regularly releases analysis and reviews of government tobacco control progress at a national, state and territory level. Check the News page for the latest activity.
Priorities for Action
ACOSH advocates for government action that:
- Maintains and strengthens tobacco control legislation at federal and state levels.
- Enforces robust retail licensing regimes with real penalties for breaches.
- Encourages collaboration across health, police, and federal/state agencies.
- Expands smoke- and vape-free spaces to protect communities from second-hand exposure.
- Futureproofs legislation to ensure authority to efficiently ban novel harmful products, including those marketed as alternatives to tobacco or vapes, like pouches.
- Invests in prevention, cessation support, and public education.
Shields policy processes from industry interference.
Prohibits advertising, promotion, and sponsorship of tobacco, vapes, and novel nicotine products, including on social media.