The Heart Foundation and National Stroke Foundation today called for the Australian Government to abolish duty-free cigarette sales in the Federal Budget announcement, arguing the revenue could pay for a broad range of vital cardiovascular health initiatives.

The move would provide around $200 million a year to the Government, comfortably covering the $160 million cost of crucial proposals which the Heart Foundation and Stroke Foundation argue are vital to tackle heart disease and stroke.

"Duty-free cigarettes currently cost the Government $200 million a year in lost revenue, which could be paying for crucial programs to fight heart disease and stroke, the two biggest killers of Australians," said Dr Lyn Roberts, National CEO of the Heart Foundation.

"Stopping duty-free cigarette sales would also help to cut the huge death toll caused by smoking in Australia every year and put an end to what is in effect a government subsidy for the tobacco industry," she said.

The joint 2012-13 Budget Submission from the Heart Foundation and Stroke Foundation outlined 16 proposals (costing $157.9 million), including:

  • health checks in general practice to detect people at risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes and kidney disease
  • funding support for Heart Foundation and Stroke Foundation campaigns to raise awareness of heart attack and stroke warning signs
  • reduction of salt and saturated fat levels in commonly eaten foods thorough an expansion of the Australian Government's Food and Health Dialogue
  • active travel strategy to encourage walking, cycling and public transport use
  • funding to better connect stroke survivors to vital community services following discharge from hospital

"Cardiovascular disease accounts for the greatest direct health system expenditure at $6 billion a year, but we still don't have a funded national action plan to tackle it," National Stroke Foundation CEO, Dr Erin Lalor, said.

"Our joint proposals cover the patient journey by identifying people at risk, reducing hospital admissions and providing better care for survivors. And it can all be funded by ending duty-free cigarette sales," she added.

An estimated 320 million duty-free cigarettes are sold in Australia every year. In addition to the Heart Foundation and Stroke Foundation, the Henry Tax Review and the National Preventative Health Taskforce have also recommended ending the sale of duty-free cigarettes and other tobacco products.

Heart Foundation