Ms Jann McFarlane asked the Minister representing the Minister for Health and Ageing, upon notice, on 5 February 2003:

(1) Is the Minister able to say what sum the Commonwealth raised from excise on tobacco in (a) 1996, (b) 1997, (c) 1998, (d) 1999, (f) 2001 and (g) 2002.

(2) What was the level of direct funding by the Commonwealth to anti-smoking campaigns in (a) 1996, (b) 1997, (c) 1998, (d) 1999, (e) 2000, (f) 2001 and (g) 2002.

(3) What was the level of funding provided to the States for use in anti-smoking campaigns in (a) 1996, (b) 1997, (c) 1998, (d) 1999, (e) 2000, (f) 2001 and (g) 2002.

(4) What direct action is the Federal Government taking to promote an anti-smoking message.

Mr Andrews (Minister for Ageing) —The Minister for Health and Ageing has provided the following answer to the honourable member's question:

(1) The Commonwealth collects tobacco revenue from locally produced and imported tobacco products (including cigarettes) via excise duty and customs duty, respectively.

In August 1997, at the unanimous request of the States, the Commonwealth announced an increase in the rate of Commonwealth excise and customs duty on tobacco, which were passed to the States as Revenue Replacement Payments (RRPs). RRPs were abolished on 1 July 2000.

The table below shows total Commonwealth tobacco revenue and excludes RRPs. Amounts shown have been rounded to the nearest $10 million.

Commonwealth tobacco (including cigarettes) revenue

(a) excludes Tobacco RRPs

(b) RRPs ceased on 1 July 2000 without a reduction in the excise rate

(2) The breakdown of Commonwealth expenditure is as follows. During the launch stages of the Campaign $3.847 million (1996-97) and $4.897 million (1997-98) were spent. In subsequent booster stages, the following was spent: 1998-99 - $2.66 million; 1999-2000 - $2.84 million; 2000-01 - $2.656 million; 2001-02 - $2.625 million.

(3) The Commonwealth does not provide any specific funding to the State and Territory Governments for tobacco campaigns.

(4) As at March 2003, the Commonwealth has spent $19.5 million on the National Tobacco Campaign. The National Tobacco Campaign aims to reduce the prevalence of tobacco smoking in people aged 16-40 years. The Campaign is designed to elevate quitting on smokers' personal agendas by demonstrating new insights on the health effects of smoking. Phases of NTC activity have occurred every year since 1997, often around the New Year and World No Tobacco Day (May 31) periods. Plans are currently underway for a phase of campaign activity in the lead up to this year's World No Tobacco Day (31 May, 2003).

The Federal Government also promotes an anti-smoking message by requiring health warnings on tobacco packaging and prohibiting most forms of tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship.