Prevention key in curbing cancer

The LNP Opposition welcomes the State Government’s investment in clinical cancer trials but has stressed prevention needs to remain a priority.

Shadow Health Minister Mark McArdle said while investment in research and trials is vital to finding a cure, a similar emphasis must be placed on prevention.

“Cancer is a killer and we need to put an end to one of the leading causes of this disease, smoking,” Mr McArdle said.

“In order to stop young people from taking up smoking in the first place as well incentivize those that are smoking to give up, the LNP introduced a Private Member’s Bill to the Parliament.

“To reduce the rate of smoking the LNP’s bill aims to prevent young people from lighting up and is supported by the Cancer Council Queensland.”

Mr McArdle said we want to reduce passive smoking that also leads to so many deaths.

“Our bill proposes to ban smoking with five metres of State Government buildings and ban the sale of cigarettes from pop-up stores,” he said.

“It also bans smoking at all public transport waiting points, pedestrian malls, public swimming pools and skate parks.

“This bill complements the work done by the former LNP Government when we introduced some of the toughest laws including a ban on smoking on or within five metres of health facilities and schools.”

Mr McArdle said the LNP is calling on the Palaszczuk Labor Government to provide bi-partisan support for this bill and assist Queenslanders to quit smoking and reduce the risk of cancer.

FAST FACTS

• Each year more than 3,400 Queenslanders die from smoking related illnesses.
• The Queensland Cancer Council estimates that smoking accounts for approximately $6.1 billion every year in health costs resulting from 36,000 hospitalisations, lost productivity and premature death in Queensland.
• Smoking accounts for 1 in 7 deaths in QueenslandCurrent smokers will die an average of 10 years earlier than non-smokers, with mortality rates increasing substantially with the increased intensity of smoking.
• Tobacco smoking is the leading cause of preventable death and disease.Approximately one-third of smoking related deaths were of working age Queenslanders.