INTRODUCTION & OBJECTIVES OF THE ACTION PLAN Smoking is one of the largest preventable causes of death and disease in Australia. Rates of smoking among businessmen and women in heavily populated areas such as Melbourne's central business district (CBD) are particularly high, with its prevalence as high as 73 per cent. Tobacco use among adults between the ages 20-45 increases the risk of heart attack, stroke, chronic lung disease, several cancers and diabetes. Passive smoking in densely populated areas also has risks for younger generations who are exposed to smoking in any area of the CBD. The Action Plan has been developed to address the health consequences of tobacco use for businessmen and women Melbourne's CBD. The goal of this plan is to improve the health of all business people by reducing the accessibility and increasing the awareness of the harm caused by tobacco consumption and exposure to tobacco smoke. Little progress has been made in Victoria to reduce the burden of ill-health and death caused by tobacco use, and there remains a great need in the community for substantial work to be done in this area. The development of a tobacco action plan represents a new opportunity to progress tobacco control activity particularly in Melbourne's CBD. The Action Plan is a comprehensive approach to reducing tobacco-related harm, and includes a range of priority activities that span three key areas for action: health care interventions, community interventions and policy and legislation interventions. Performance of the Action Plan will be measured against short-term and long-term performance indicators. The report will have an opportunity to report annually on tobacco control activities over a 2 year period. It will provide progress reports and recommendations on the implementation of the Action Plan. It is envisioned that through setting achievable and realistic objectives with a shared commitment to health equity for Melbournians, a reduction in the harm caused by tobacco use will be achieved. Objective 1: To increase awareness of negative impacts of smoking Proposed Actions As a part of training future employees, they are to complete a module on smoking and its risks. This can help ensure better levels of awareness among future employees about the risks and dangers involved in smoking. The goal setting is based on reduction of average number of employees who take up smoking. This forms measurable goals as previous average was 20 out of 100 employees took up smoking. It is important that this number be reduced significantly (Macaskill P, Hill DJ. 2010). In this way it is possible to form a social action plan based on this objective of forming as a part of training future employees, they are to complete a module on smoking and its risks (Macaskill P, Hill DJ. 2010). Anticipated Outcomes This objective is focused on understanding the risks associated with smoking. Smokers include addicts, chain smokers, casual smokers and several others. The main objective is to ensure that they are aware of the harm that they are causing to themselves as well as to others in the process of smoking. This helps build better levels of evaluation of the risks and not taking smoking addiction casually. Key Risks Smoking is a dangerous addiction. It leads to several illnesses including bronchitis and cancer. It is important that there be an awareness program that can help ensure that there is a reduction in the number of people addicted to smoking. It is important that leadership be taken to reduce smoking in the organization to help improve the health of the employees. Awareness is the first measure to ensure that addiction does not take place. Resources Required EXTERNAL ORGS, LOCAL SHOPS AND GOVERNEMNT Evaluation This awareness training can help improve or reduce the number of smokers in the organization and also help improve the overall health of the employees and reduce the health expenses that the organization spends on the employees with respect to health care. It also helps them retain talent and not lose them to addiction. Moreover they also need to be aware of passive smoking and its ill effects. The plan is a short term plan where in the training module is of 3 days. The level of awareness increased can be measured using a feedback form and gathering opinions of each of the employees before the training and after the training. This objective forms an important element in creating strong levels of awareness based on understanding the different risks involved in smoking. It helps achieve better levels of risk understanding and also helps discourage smoking (Pierce JP, Dwyer T, Chamberlain A, et al. 2007). Objective 2: To minimise places people can smoke Proposed Actions 1. Set the smoking hot spots. Signs will be installed in prominent places in the outdoor areas listed above. The signs will include the international No Smoking symbol and the wording: WARNING: Penalties apply. Regulated under the Local Government Act 1989 (Vic). Leases, licenses and other council agreements Council buildings and outdoor dining areas that are leased, licensed or hired by council will have smoke-free clauses inserted into their agreements for use. Enforcement of policy. In implementing council's Smoke-free Outdoor Dining and Drinking Policy, a program of community education and awareness, specifically targeting residents and day visitors, will be undertaken. 2. Prohibit smoking at the public space. Smokers are only allowed smoking at the hot spots. Smoking is banned in most enclosed workplaces in Victoria. However, state legislation does not extend to outdoor dining and drinking areas. This is where councils can provide for better public health for its residents by implementing additional smoking bans in public places not yet covered by state legislation. While most of the evidence relates to indoor exposure, there is emerging evidence showing how smoking affects air quality in outdoor locations such as outdoor dining areas. Anticipated Outcomes That council adopt the attached Smoke-free Outdoor Dining and Drinking Policy which includes banning smoking in the outdoor areas on council land specified in the policy. Further, this policy be enforced in any leases, licenses or other estates that apply to council owned and managed lands and properties and that internationally recognised signage be erected to indicate these areas are smoke-free. Key Risks Resources Required Evaluation • Improve public amenity and maintenance of council property; • Raise community awareness of the negative health impact of smoking and denormalise smoking; • Provide community leadership to protect the health and social wellbeing of the community; • Minimise cigarette butt pollution on council owned outdoor areas. Objective 3: To limit places that supply cigarettes Proposed Actions In order to minimise the places that sell cigarettes in Melbourne City, new legislation on shops that supply cigarettes is needed. Actions are: • Shops selling cigarettes need to be 3km apart. • No cigarettes supply in supermarkets and newsagents. • Only shops that own a license to be able to supply cigarettes. 16. To review and update statutory controls on the sale of tobacco products. This will involve a number of possible measures, including the introduction of a system of licensing and new sanctions such as cautions and fixed penalty notices for breaches of the law. 17. To consider with relevant stakeholders, including at UK level, what further steps, including legislative, might be taken to reduce illegal sales of cigarettes from vending machines as part of the review at Action 16. Anticipated Outcomes By keeping the shops that sell cigarettes in 3km apart, Victoria government will be able to have a clearer idea of the number of shops that supply cigarettes in Melbourne. They can also have a better control of those shops. On the other hand, people cannot purchase cigarettes easily because they will need to walk further away in order to buy cigarettes. We go to supermarkets and newsagents very often and so as children. No cigarettes supply in supermarkets and newsagents that could "reducing the temptation to smoke for children and young people" (Boseley 2012). According to the department of health in Victoria (2013), we do not need a licence to sell tobacco products. But we believe that a license for selling tobacco is a must in order to reduce smoking. Key Risks The key risk with shops selling cigarettes have to be 3km apart that, people might buy serval packages of cigarettes at one time. The key risk associated with no cigarettes supply in supermarkets and newsagents, is that supermarkets and newsagents will need to employ less staff. This might leads to some people losing their jobs. The key risk with only shops have a license can supply cigarettes that could result in a rise of the cigarettes price. Resources Required The major resource for this objective is government funding. . To work in partnership with the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA), Scottish local authorities, the Society of Chief Officers of Trading Standards in Scotland (SCOTSS) and other relevant interests to develop an outcome-focused scheme to secure more rigorous enforcement of tobacco sales law. Also, as per Action 20, to ensure this complements action to reduce illicit sales of tobacco. Evaluation One of the evaluation methods is to have "regular compliance checks to ensure businesses selling tobacco are meeting their responsibilities" (Melbourne Enterprise 2015). Another method used to determine if there is a decrease in number of cigarettes sold after the proposed action is implemented. Objective 4: To promote healthier alternatives to smoking Proposed Actions To embrace tobacco issues within the Health Improvement Social Marketing Strategy (HISMS) to ensure that future national campaigns and the local activity underpinning this, including by third sector organisations, provides a clear, supportive and inclusive route map to positive behaviour leading to a healthy life. 9. To encourage schools and all youth work/ community settings where young people gather to adopt clear no smoking policies and in addition we ask that they reinforce messages concerning the addictiveness and health risks associated with smoking. Anticipated Outcomes Key Risks Resources Required Evaluation