Quit has a key role in providing information and support to local government in support of tobacco control strategies.
New Victorian local government smoke-free resources
There is strong public support for smoke-free outdoor areas and growing concern about the health effects of secondhand smoke. Smoke-free outdoor areas not only protect the health of the community, but also help smokers to cut their cigarette consumption, assist to de-normalise smoking so children are less likely to take up the habit later in life, and help to reduce cigarette butt litter.
A new resource, Smoke-free Policies in Outdoor Areas: A resource kit for Victorian local governments, has been developed by the Heart Foundation and Quit Victoria.
The resource kit assists Victorian councils to adopt smoke-free policies in outdoor areas such as children's playgrounds, alfresco dining areas, sporting grounds and facilities and council run or sponsored events.
The resource kit includes four fact sheets and a CD-Rom*:
Foreword - from Quit Victoria and Heart Foundation Download
Fact Sheet 1 - Frequently asked questions Download
Fact Sheet 2 - Case studies: How local governments are leading the way for smoke-free outdoor areas Download
Fact Sheet 3 - Why are outdoor smoke-free areas important for your council? Download
Fact Sheet 4 - Victorian sample council report and policy Download
CD-Rom - Resources from NSW and Victorian councils*
The kit was developed by the Heart Foundation, Quit Victoria, VicHealth, Municipal Association of Victoria, Victorian Local Governance Association, Monash City Council and Frankston City Council. It is based on a similar resource developed for NSW local governments by the Heart Foundation, The Cancer Council NSW, the Australian Medical Association NSW and Action on Smoking and Health Australia.
*The CD-Rom is only available in hard copy. Please email us (kate.bolaffi@heartfoundation.org.au) to request a hard copy.
Victorian Council Survey
The Heart Foundation and Quit Victoria are surveying all Victorian local governments to assess the number and type of existing smoke-free policies in outdoor areas.
To include your council in the Victorian Council Survey 2011 please complete the short survey.
What data is available for each local government area?
In September 2008, The Cancer Council Victoria released data on the level of deaths caused by smoking in every local government area across the state. The data was prepared by The Cancer Council Victoria's Cancer Epidemiology Centre. It shows that the leading cause of preventable death in every local government area in Victoria is smoking. Smoking caused deaths in every area of the state outstrip other major avoidable deaths caused by alcohol, other drugs and road deaths, even when combined.
Find more information and view the data here - The Big Kill
Tobacco Control Health Promotion strategy
The Tobacco Control Health Promotion strategy provides examples of how local government can incorporate a mix of health promotion interventions. Find out more about the strategy here:
http://www.quit.org.au/resource-centre/community/local-government/local-government-involvement.aspx
National Cancer Prevention Policy
The Cancer Council Australia has also produced the National Cancer Prevention Policy 2007 – 2009 . This evidence-based policy describes a strategic approach to reducing Australians incidence of cancer, including tobacco control.