AMA (Australian Medical Association) President, Dr Mukesh Haikerwal, today announced the winners (and losers) in the 2007 AMA/Australian Council on Smoking and Health (ACOSH) National Tobacco Scoreboard. The Scoreboard allocates points to each State and Territory over a number of categories, including legislation, to track how effective each Government has been in combating smoking over the last 12 months. With a score of 72 points, Western Australia is the winner for 2007. The Northern Territory, with just 19 points out of a possible 100, is this year's most disappointing performer in tobacco control. For the second year running, the NT has taken out the DIRTY ASHTRAY AWARD. For the first time ever, ACOSH and the AMA have this year awarded a special GOLDEN DIRTY ASHTRAY AWARD. This dishonour goes to the Northern Territory for its consistently poor performance on tobacco control. The AMA is confident that Chief Minister Clare Martin is looking forward to receiving these putrid reminders of the NT's bad record on tobacco control. Presenting the Awards at the AMA National Conference in Melbourne today, AMA President Dr Mukesh Haikerwal said Western Australia - which won jointly last year with Queensland - is by contrast a good tobacco control role model. "The WA Government has shown a consistent and strong commitment to tobacco control," Dr Haikerwal said. "It's led the nation in reducing teen and adult smoking rates, it has strong legislation on smoking in public places, and its strict regulation of point-of-sale advertising should be emulated by other States and Territories. "However, I urge WA not to rest on its laurels - further action is needed to eradicate smoking from outdoor eating areas and cars, and to increase funding for public education." Dr Haikerwal said he hopes the strong message sent out with these Awards, especially the Dirty Ashtray, will accelerate Government and community efforts to stamp out smoking and encourage people to give up the killer habit. "Smoking rates are declining, but too many Australians still smoke," Dr Haikerwal said. "Doctors want to see an end to the senseless waste of life and the erosion of quality of life caused by smoking."

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