SA panned for weak anti-smoking efforts

It's not exactly one for the trophy cabinet, but an ashtray full of cigarette butts
will soon be adorning the office of South Australia's health minister.
At least that's if the Australian Medical Association (AMA) has its way.
On the eve of World No Tobacco Day, SA has been awarded the Dirty Ashtray Award for
dithering in its anti-smoking efforts.
Outgoing AMA national president Rosanna Capolingua presented the award at the
group's national conference in Melbourne on Saturday.
"South Australia has failed on a number of fronts, point of tobacco sale controls,
outdoor controls on smoking, even education campaigns they have failed," she said.
"We have a dirty ashtray, which is literally a trophy full of dirty cigarette butts,
I'm afraid that John Hill, the South Australian health minister will be presented
with that by the president of AMA South Australia."
The Dirty Ashtray Award recognises the states and territories who made the best and
worst progress on combating smoking in 2008.
It is based on the national tobacco control scoreboard, compiled by the Australian
Council on Smoking and Health (ACOSH).
Victoria was ranked the best performer thanks to its new tobacco control policy,
which includes a ban on point of sale tobacco displays and smoking in cars with
children.
Dr Capolingua said Victoria also had a strong public education strategy and support
services to help people quit.
She called for a national ban on tobacco advertising and tougher laws to protect
non-smokers, especially children, from second-hand smoke.
"The federal government should significantly increase tobacco excise beyond
inflation and use the proceeds to fund public health programs."