Our McCabe Centre team had an inspiring few days at the Oceania Tobacco Control Conference (OTCC) on the Gold Coast recently. Under the theme, “Reignite the Fight,” we heard from both veteran leaders and new voices addressing the ongoing battle against the tobacco industry. Discussions ranged from the complexities of emerging nicotine products to innovative strategies to protect young people from tobacco’s harmful influence. With lung cancer causing 1.8 million deaths globally each year and tobacco responsible for 8 million deaths overall, the urgency of our mission couldn’t be clearer.
"The tobacco industry continues to manipulate messaging and policy to draw young people toward their products, regardless of the devastating outcomes. The OTCC was a fantastic opportunity to share strategies, challenges, and insights as we work alongside leading experts regionally and globally to advance effective tobacco and e-cigarette laws,” said Hayley Jones, Director of the McCabe Centre.
Key Highlights:
- Indigenous Perspectives: Prof. Tom Calma’s inspiring session on community-driven approaches to ending nicotine dependence among Indigenous populations.
- Industry Tactics: Prof. Pamela Ling's insights on the tobacco industry's shift to “pharmaceuticalise” their products.
- Regional Collaborations: Pacific leaders shared impactful health promotion initiatives from the Cook Islands.
- Congratulations to Quit Senior Legal Policy Advisor Claire Grace on jointly winning the OTCC Early Career Award (alongside Associate Prof Michelle Kennedy).
- Todd Harper, Cancer Council Victoria’s CEO presented award Becky Freeman and Janet Hoek with the Nigel Gray Career Achievement Award in Tobacco Control. Todd is pictured with Becky Freeman and Michelle Scollo, who was the first recipient of the award in 2005, and with Richard Edwards, a member of Janet Hoek’s team who accepted Janet’s award in her absence.
Our Contributions at OTCC 2024:
Our team contributed to eight presentations, plenaries, and workshops, showcasing critical issues and strategies across tobacco and e-cigarette control:
Panels:
- COP this: Exploring actions from the WHO FCTC Conference of the Parties, with contributions from Hayley Jones and Delphina Kerslake. Co-panelists Karlie Brown, Kylie Lindorff, A/Prof Becky Freeman
- Reducing Tobacco Supply: Visioning future strategies with insights from Hayley Jones. Keynote Prof Janet Hoek, panelists Abby Smith, Prof Lisa Wood, Dr Mary Assunta, Prof Tom Calma AO, chaired by Dr Michelle Scollo
- Marketing Manipulation: Examining how the industry targets young adults and interferes with policy, with insights on legal challenges from Suzanne Zhou. Keynote Prof. Pamela Ling, panel Melissa Jones, Dr. Christina Watts, moderated by A/Prof Michelle Jongenelis
- Industry Interference: Tackling tobacco industry interference through law and policy, presented in a workshop by Suzanne Zhou and Delphina Taoa Kerslake. – co-panelists A/Prof Anaru Waa, Melissa Jones, Dr Mary Assunta
Sessions:
- WHO FCTC Knowledge Hub Insights: Reflecting on a decade of progress in addressing legal challenges, presented by Suzanne Zhou and Hayley Jones.
- The Plastics Treaty: Considering environmental implications for cigarette filters and e-cigarettes, presented by Anasha Flintoff.
- Human Rights in Tobacco Control: Discussing the integration of human rights into tobacco control policy, presented by Hayley Jones.
- Comparative E-Cigarette Regulation: Addressing global regulatory approaches, presented by Suzanne Zhou.
Uniting for Change
The OTCC is a biennial gathering that brings together researchers, advocates, policymakers, and administrators across Australia, New Zealand, and the Pacific. We extend our gratitude to Cancer Councils NSW, QLD, and WA for organizing an impactful event, and it was rewarding to collaborate with colleagues from Cancer Councils, Quit, and various research, civil society, and governmental bodies. Together, we are reigniting the fight to protect communities from the harms of tobacco and nicotine.