Australian Greens' Health Plan Would Reduce Obesity-related Cancers

Main Category: Cancer / Oncology
Also Included In: Obesity / Weight Loss / Fitness
Article Date: 03 Aug 2010 - 11:00 PDT

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The Australian Greens' health plan would reduce the burden of cancers linked with obesity, smoking and alcohol in Australia, Cancer Council Australia said today.

Chief Executive Officer, Professor Ian Olver, welcomed the Greens' proposals to end junk food ads in children's TV viewing hours, introduce traffic light labelling for food products, set a floor price plan for cigarettes and run a safe alcohol consumption awareness program - all of which were consistent with Cancer Council Australia's proposal launched last week.

"Obese Australians have a much higher chance of dying from cancer than people in a healthy weight range, so Australia's high rates of obesity and overweight are a cancer time bomb," Professor Olver said.

"Protecting children from junk food advertising and providing clear information to consumers on food products are two of the most important measures available to government for reducing obesity in Australia, so the Greens should be commended for showing leadership on these issues.

"With 6.9 million Australians expected to be obese by 2025 if current trends continue, we need to take strong measures now before Australia experiences a surge in obesity-related cancers."

Professor Olver said the Greens' proposal for a floor price plan for tobacco products would prevent the sale of discounted cigarettes from undermining the health benefits of tobacco tax, while raising awareness about the harms of alcohol would also help reduce preventable cancers.

"We are calling on all political parties to support these measures and to announce a plan for the full implementation of the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program," he said.

Source: Cancer Council Australia

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