Over 23,000 people die each year from smoking related illness in Australia (Victoria Canberra Sydney). That means, the cigarette and tobacco companies lose over 23,000 customers a year. Research from the national drug strategy states that tobacco abuse costs Australia (as of April 2003) 21 Billion Dollars in health care, business and other social related costs. Passive smoking (non smokers exposed to smokers smoking) kills over 200 Australians per year, half of them – children. These figures are frightening.

2004
In Australia, Smoking 25 cigarettes a day costs on average $ .70.00 a week or $3,640.00 a year
In Australia, Smoking 50 cigarettes a day costs on average $140.00 a week or $7,280.00 a year

Globally 350,000 people die each month worldwide from smoking. (World Health Organisation) Over 4000 chemicals are found in cigarettes 43 are known to cause cancer.

Tobacco REALLY Kills around 20,000 Australians a year.

That’s more than drugs, alcohol, car accidents, suicides, homicides and AIDS deaths combined. Better health warnings are only part of the solution. We also need higher tobacco taxes, smoke free work and public places, effective ways to protect kids from cigarette advertising, clearer rules on tobacco company behaviour and increased resources for health promotion and cessation programs.

More Information:

Australian Council on Smoking and Health
Quit WA
The Non Smokers’ Movement of Australia
Quit Victoria