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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2004 Week 07 Hansard (Wednesday, 30 June 2004) . . Page.. 3080 ..

counselling, do we, Mr Speaker? I think we want to avoid the situation where quite wealthy people who are having minor surgery are given some sort of service that others cannot receive. Although it is a pretty good idea on the surface, I do not think the government can support it.

MR SMYTH (Leader of the Opposition) (5.29): Mr Speaker, the opposition can live with the motion, simply because I think we have to take all opportunities and all avenues when presented, and I think it is a shame that the “acting acting acting” health minister has decided to take such a negative view on the motion.

We all know that we should give up smoking; we all know that there are various forms of anti-smoking counselling available; and we all know that we probably should avail ourselves of those opportunities. I think what Ms Dundas is saying is that, when you are admitted to hospital, it is often a time for reflection on your personal health, and where you are at in your life. If you are admitted for a smoking-related illness, that might give you that little edge of motivation to make the effort, take the plunge and give up smoking.

Ultimately it will rely simply on that. People who smoke have to feel the motivation to give it up. I understand an average smoker will normally go through an enormous number of attempts before they can give up smoking. The dilemma is where do we catch them? You see advertisements on the buses; on TV; you hear it on the radio and it is in the magazines. That is good—there should be more of it. There are very stark, grim warnings on cigarette packets, and they do not deter people either.

Where you have the time and you are in a situation where you can reflect on your personal circumstances, if in fact you have been hospitalised because of the effects of being a long-term smoker, perhaps that is the point in one’s life where the motivation exists, in a confluence of circumstances, where some counselling and support are available. Your family are probably looking at you from the end of the bed and saying, “Look, it’s time to give it up”—and you may well feel that motivation yourself. I think it is reasonable to say, “Let’s take advantage of that confluence of circumstances and put it into action!” This is a call to arms to offer people assistance to carry that out.

We all talk about health promotion, and it is interesting that the health promotion officer at the Canberra Hospital has not been replaced since 2001. There is a question on notice that one of the members might put, or I might put myself: why haven’t we had a health promotion officer for the term of this government? Why is the Canberra Hospital without that very important position if, as we often claim in this place, we are all dedicated to moving towards the health prevention model? With those few words in mind, the opposition will be supporting the motion.

MRS CROSS (5.32): I support in principle Ms Dundas’s motion to call upon the government to offer quit smoking counselling services to all smokers. It is important for the government to recognise that smoking can retard recovery from physical illnesses and surgery. Smokers are at a greater risk of experiencing complications and infections after surgery due to the damaging effect of their habit on their lungs, heart and immune system.

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