Cancer Council Victoria welcomes today's commitment from the federal Opposition of $40 million for Australia's National Tobacco Campaign.
The investment in anti-smoking advertising at a national level is the first in almost a decade and could save the lives of thousands of Australians.
Todd Harper, CEO of Cancer Council Victoria, said it is encouraging to see anti-smoking measures back on the agenda.
"We have seen great success in reducing smoking rates thanks to increases in cigarette prices due to targeted tax increases, ongoing mass media campaigns, and the expansion of smokefree areas – but there's still more to be done," Mr Harper said.
"The smoking rate of Australian adults has almost halved since 1995, however 12.2% of Australian adults still smoke."
Mr Harper said lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in Australia, with a five-year survival rate of just 17%.
"By using proven tactics, such as anti-smoking ads to educate people on the harms of tobacco, we can further reduce the number of smokers in Australia and save lives."
