Abstract

The NSW Department of Health's commitment to reducing tobacco-related harm in New South Wales is best articulated in its NSW Tobacco Action Plan 2001–2004. In accord with the National Tobacco Strategy 1999–2003, priorities under this plan include: reducing smoking prevalence; limiting the uptake of smoking by nonsmokers; reducing the exposure to the general population to tobacco smoke; and, over the longer term, decreasing the prevalence of disease and deaths caused by smoking. In order to address these priorities, the NSW Tobacco Action Plan 2001–2004 (Tobacco Action Plan) focuses on policies and legislative programs to restrict access to tobacco products; provision of support services to assist those wanting to quit smoking; and adoption of strategies to reduce exposure to tobacco smoke in indoor places both public and private.