Developing further strategies to address the single most preventable cause of serious disease is the aim of the NT Tobacco Summit, which entered its second day in Darwin today.
The Summit, hosted by the NT Heart Foundation, represents the first time such a range of expert speakers from key organisations, including DHF, have come together in the NT to discuss this issue.
Addressing the Tobacco Summit, Dr Barbara Paterson, Chief Health Officer for the Northern Territory, congratulated the NT Heart Foundation for bringing together a diverse professional group to discuss tobacco policy, education and service reform in the Territory.
"Surveys indicate that whilst the majority of Territorians do not smoke there are very high rates of smoking in both the Aboriginal and the non-Aboriginal populations," Dr Paterson said.
"Twenty per cent of adult deaths in the NT and three per cent of all hospital admissions are directly attributed to smoking, and the harmful effects of smoking are evident before birth-with consequences that span a lifetime."
Dr Paterson said the Department of Health and Families is a member of a well-established, NT-wide partnership focusing on tobacco policy, education and treatment.
"We have rated smoking as one of five priority areas in our Strategic Plan. As an agency dealing with the impact of smoking-related disease and disability, we're acutely aware of the effects of smoking on individual ill health, and its impacts on the health system overall."
Dr Paterson said the Department is taking a lead in modelling healthy practices, having announced a Smoke Free Policy, effective from 1 July, which will see bans on smoking across DHF services, facilities, vehicles and grounds.
"We hope this policy will provide added stimulus for people to decide to stop smoking," Dr Paterson added.
The DHF's Smoke Free Policy and frequently asked questions can be viewed at: www.health.nt.gov.au/Alcohol_and_Other_Drugs/Tobacco/DHF_Smoke_Free_Policy/
People want to stop smoking are advised to ring the Quitline on 137 848.
Media contacts: Darrel Trueman, 0401 116 203; Cameron Jackson, 0401 116 144
Release date: Tuesday 24 March 2009
