Change drinking, smoking habits and save

By Sarah Walker
Health Reporter

A recent study has found that reducing smoking and drinking habits among Australians can not only save lives, but also has the potential to save the economy billions of dollars.

Deakin University, supported by VicHealth conducted the study and found that if Australian smokers cut the annual rate of smoking from 23 per cent to 15 per cent, 5,000 deaths could be prevented and more than $900 million in health, production and leisure could be saved. The study also found that if the yearly consumption of 773 standard drinks (9.8 litres) was lowered to 505 (6.4 litres), 38 lives and $1.2 billion dollars could be saved.

The 15 per cent smoking rate is a much higher goal than the Preventative Health Task Force suggested in their report, published last month, setting a target of nine per cent by 2020.

According to the report, 13 per cent of adults drink alcohol at high-risk levels. The reduction of smoking and drinking would see 98,000 fewer alcohol-related disease per year, 21,000 fewer years lost dues to illness and death and 71,000 fewer years lost to tobacco-related illnesses and deaths, and 158,000 fewer tobacco-related illnesses per year.

Deakin University’s report, The Health and Economic Benefits of Reducing Disease Risk Factors, found that these financial savings would benefit both families and work places.

"Production and leisure also includes the increased economic benefits from paid work (such as reduced absenteeism) plus unpaid, home-based activities like caring for families, as well as leisure activities," co-author and Deakin University Health Economic Professor Rob Carter said.

"The report is innovative because its targets are based on scenarios that are realistic." VicHealth chief executive Todd Harper said. "And these targets point to large gains for relatively modest changes in the behavious that lead to chronic illnesses."

The report stated a 15 per cent smoking rate had already been achieved in California.