Taskforce releases chronic illness paper
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The Federal Government's preventative health taskforce has released its first discussion paper on how Australia can reverse the effects of chronic illnesses caused by obesity, smoking and drinking.
The taskforce recommends battling obesity by shielding children from unhealthy food marketing and changing town planning to encourage a more active lifestyle.
For smoking, the paper calls on more regulation for the tobacco industry including an end to all forms of promotion, and a significant increase in the cost of cigarettes.
The taskforce also wants a restriction on the opening hours of alcohol outlets as well as a curb on alcohol advertising and to change the cultural place drinking has in Australia.
It also recommends a tailored approach to addressing health problems in Indigenous and disadvantaged communities.
