Doctors will be encouraged to be part of the front line in the Australian Government’s fight to stop people smoking, with the release of new guidelines for GPs.

With one Australian being killed every 28 minutes1 by the diseases caused by smoking, doctors have been given a new tool to help patients to quit.

Parliamentary Secretary for Health, Trish Worth, today announced the release of Smoking Cessation Guidelines for Australian General Practice as part of Drug Action Week.

\"These guidelines provide GPs and their staff with new strategies to assist smokers give up smoking,\" Ms Worth said.

\"GPs often are the first people smokers turn to and they have a central role in the prevention of disease. We have clear proof that GPs provide preventive care that is reaching the majority of the population.

\"The guidelines will help GPs more effectively advise smokers, as the new information is based on scientific evidence and the experience of other countries. They are concise, interactive, and draw on many resources.

\"The launch of these guidelines is another example of how the Australian Government is working to reduce tobacco use in our community.

\"Although Australia’s smoking rate has decreased from 21.8 per cent of the population in 1998 to 19.5 per cent in 2001, tobacco smoking still is responsible for the greatest burden of disease in Australia with 19,000 people dying from diseases caused by smoking each year - or one every 27.6 minutes.

\"Smoking is estimated to kill about half of its long-term users, causing 40 per cent of deaths in men and 20 per cent of deaths in women before the age of 65 years.\"

Smoking Cessation Guidelines for Australian General Practice was developed by General Practice Education Australia Limited, assisted by a consortium of other organisations, and funded by the Australian Government.

All GPs will be sent the guidelines, which also are available at
www.health.gov.au/pubhlth/publicat/drugs.htm, or by calling 1800 020 103.

Media contact: Mark Williams, Trish Worth’s Office 0401 147 558

1 19,000 Australians are killed each year by diseases caused by smoking. 19,000/365 days per year = 52 deaths per day. 1,440 minutes per day/52= 27.6 minutes per death

This is a press release from:
The Right Hon. Trish Worth
Parlialmentary Secretary for the Minister for Health and Ageing
Australia

http://www.health.gov.au