Newly released figures have exposed a devastating public health crisis in Western Australia, with tobacco-related harm sending 35 people to hospital every single day. The staggering impact is also burning a $129 million hole in the state's health budget annually, placing an enormous burden on taxpayers.
A Daily Toll of Hospital Admissions
The shocking data, revealed by Health Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson, shows the relentless human and financial cost of smoking. In the last financial year alone, tobacco use was directly responsible for 12,773 hospital admissions across Western Australia. This equates to an average of 35 admissions every day, a figure that has stunned health advocates and policymakers.
Behind these numbers are real West Australians suffering from a range of debilitating conditions. The admissions are primarily for treating diseases caused by smoking, including lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), heart disease, and stroke. Each admission represents a personal health crisis and a family impacted by the consequences of tobacco addiction.
The Multi-Million Dollar Burden on the System
The financial burden of this ongoing health emergency is monumental. The $129 million annual cost covers hospital stays, surgical procedures, medications, and ongoing medical care required to treat tobacco-induced illnesses. This massive expenditure drains resources from the state's health system, which could otherwise be directed towards elective surgery waitlists, new treatments, or other critical public health initiatives.
Minister Sanderson emphasised that this cost is borne by all taxpayers, not just smokers. "Every West Australian is paying for the impact of smoking through our health system," she stated. The minister highlighted that these funds represent money that cannot be spent on other essential services, from education to infrastructure, making it a whole-of-community issue.
Government Action and Public Response
In response to the alarming data, the WA Government is pushing forward with its tough new anti-smoking legislation. The proposed laws aim to create a smoke-free generation by banning the sale of tobacco products to anyone born after 2008. This groundbreaking measure seeks to phase out smoking for future generations entirely.
Additionally, the government plans to introduce some of Australia's strongest anti-vaping laws. These will include banning the sale of vapes outside of pharmacies, implementing plain packaging, and restricting flavours to tobacco only. The goal is to curb the rising uptake of vaping, particularly among young people, which is seen as a potential new pathway to nicotine addiction.
Public health experts have welcomed the data release as a crucial step in highlighting the ongoing, severe impact of tobacco. They argue that while smoking rates have declined, the legacy of past addiction and the emergence of new nicotine products like vapes mean the fight is far from over. The figures serve as a stark reminder of the preventable suffering and economic waste caused by tobacco, strengthening the case for robust preventative health measures.
