Australian Council on Smoking and Health

The Australian Council on Smoking and Health (ACOSH) is a leading nonprofit organization in Australia focused on tobacco control advocacy. Established with a proud 50-year history, ACOSH is an independent non-government coalition of prominent health, education, community, social service, and research bodies across Australia.

Mission and Objectives

ACOSH's primary goal is to create a tobacco and vape-free Australia by 2030. To achieve this, the organization advocates for policy changes that reduce smoking and vaping rates. It works closely with community and government leaders to introduce or amend regulations aimed at phasing out commercial tobacco and electronic cigarette products[1][2].

Activities and Strategies

• Advocacy and Lobbying: ACOSH engages in grassroots advocacy to influence government policies and regulations. This includes lobbying to limit the advertising and sale of harmful tobacco products and exposing the tactics of the tobacco industry[1][2].
• Education and Awareness: The organization raises awareness about the health risks associated with smoking and vaping, particularly among young people. ACOSH emphasizes the need for community involvement in creating a smoke-free environment[1][3].
• Policy Reforms: ACOSH supports initiatives to strengthen regulations around vaping products, including a prescription-only model to ensure that vaping devices are used under medical supervision. It also seeks to ban single-use, disposable vapes and enhance enforcement against illegal vaping products[5].

Challenges and Advocacy Priorities

A significant challenge ACOSH faces is the rising popularity of vaping among children and young people in Australia. The organization contends that vaping may act as a gateway to smoking, potentially undermining the progress made in reducing smoking rates[5]. ACOSH advocates for regulatory measures to prevent the misuse of vaping products and protect public health from the vested interests of the tobacco industry[5].

International Context

As a signatory to the World Health Organization's Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, ACOSH emphasizes Australia's role in protecting public health from tobacco industry interests and leading international efforts in tobacco control[5].

[1] https://acosh.org [2] https://acosh.org/about/ [3] https://healthinfonet.ecu.edu.au/key-resources/organisations/88/?title=Australian+Council+on+Smoking+and+Health++ACOSH+&contenttypeid=3&contentid=88_3 [4] https://www.acnc.gov.au/charity/charities/a57ccb30-38af-e811-a963-000d3ad24077 [5] https://www.aph.gov.au/DocumentStore.ashx?id=46543367-965a-412b-bb83-f8eea3730b77&subId=755051