How Australia does preventive health care

The Australian government is about to introduce a number of public health measures dealing with smoking, alcohol, and obesity. The measures are designed to reduce chronic diseases and make Australia the world’s healthiest nation by 2020.
Australia’s National Preventative Health Taskforce has published a report that includes 174 recommendations for preventing disease. Among the measures that could be implemented:

A 50% increase in the price of cigarettes
Cigarette packaging that allows only a bland box with the brand name and a health warning
A minimum unit price for alcohol and increased taxes
The elimination of alcohol advertising during TV sports events
The elimination of alcohol advertising before 9 PM, when more children and adolescents are viewing
Tougher restrictions on where and when alcohol can be sold
The elimination of TV advertising for “energy-dense”, nutrient poor (i.e., high empty-calorie) foods before 9 PM
Reduced taxes on health foods to make them more affordable
Tax breaks for gym memberships and for parents who enroll their children in sports activities

Australia’s Minister for Health and Ageing, Nicola Roxon, is initially asking food, tobacco, and alcohol companies to take action on their own. If they fail to comply, there will be legislation.
“We are killing people by not acting,” she said.
Different country. Different culture. Different history. Different politics. Different health care system. Observing Australia from afar, those of us in the US who would like to see more preventive health care can only drool with envy.

Sources:

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Tony Kirby, Australia considers string of preventive health measures, The Lancet, Vol 374 issue 9694, September 19, 2009 (registration required)