Towards an endgame for tobacco

The reduction in smoking in Australia in the past 30 years has established the conditions in which elimination of smoking should now be considered. This is sometimes referred to as the 'tobacco endgame'. A range of approaches can be considered and any that are implemented would build on current actions such as plain packaging.

This article outlines possible public health and policy approaches with the goal of leading to the elimination of smoking, and discusses a potential target date for the elimination of smoking in Australia.

The most effective strategy for eliminating smoking in Australia is likely to be one that reverses the tolerable, addictive nature of modern tobacco by the elimination of all additives and by specifying a very low level of true nicotine delivery. Use of an unsatisfying, costly and toxic product would naturally, and rapidly, decline.