Puff piece: shire’s smoking stats cause for concern

THE crisp mountain air of Mansfield Shire may seem pristine, but beneath the High Country skies lies a stubborn health challenge, with smoking among adults identified as a public health concern, according to findings released by Cancer Council Victoria. On quiet streets and laneways, wisps of smoke curl upward—a sight reflecting the shire’s slightly higher-than-average smoking rates. While the vaping trend gains momentum elsewhere, Mansfield remains more rooted in traditional tobacco habits, with a small but growing number of vapers adding a modern twist. The Cancer Council's Centre for Behavioural Research in Cancer (CBRC) released findings late last year from the 2022 Victorian Smoking and Health Survey, highlighting smoking and vaping rates across Victorian communities. Broadly, the survey showed higher vaping rates in inner metropolitan Melbourne, and higher smoking rates in regional areas and on Melbourne’s urban fringe. Mansfield Shire’s smoking prevalence is higher than the statewide average, where 14.6 per cent of Victorian adults currently smoke. 1425 adults are estimated to currently smoke tobacco, which is approximately 15.0 per cent of the adult population at the time of the findings. Vaping in Mansfield is less common, with 366 adults, or 3.9 per cent, using vaping products, lower than the statewide average of 6.1 per cent for Victoria. Since the 2022 survey, significant progress has been made in vaping legislation to restrict access to and promotion of harmful, addictive vaping products not used for therapeutic purposes. From October last year, vapes can only be sold at a pharmacy from behind the counter following a consultation with a pharmacist. Quit Victoria Director Rachael Andersen highlighted the importance of tackling both smoking and vaping to reduce long-term health risks. “A recent study of Australian teens showed people who vape but have never smoked are at least five times as likely to take up smoking,” she said. Ms Andersen warned that ignoring the harms of smoking could lead to worsening health outcomes in areas where vaping is increasing. “So, while much of the media narrative of the past years has focused on vaping, if we stop educating the community on the harms of smoking and if we reduce support for quit smoking attempts, we risk seeing the areas with high vaping rate areas becoming high smoking rate areas in the future," she said. The CBRC report also reinforced that reducing smoking rates remains a key priority for addressing preventable disease. “If we don’t address the stubbornly high smoking rates in regional areas, we risk seeing health inequities continue to widen,” Ms Andersen said. Nearby local government areas show similar trends. In Wangaratta, 16.1 per cent of adults currently smoke, with 13.3 per cent smoking daily and 4.9 per cent vaping. Benalla has a current smoking prevalence of 16.0 per cent, with 13.9 per cent smoking daily and 4.7 per cent vaping. Wodonga recorded some of the highest rates in the northeast, with 17.8 per cent smoking currently, 15.0 per cent smoking daily, and 6.6 per cent vaping. Support is available for those in Mansfield looking to quit smoking or vaping. Qualified Quitline counsellors are available Monday to Friday from 8 am to 8 pm to provide advice and support. Mansfield residents can connect with Quitline via live chat at quit.org.au or through WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger @QuitVic.