'Death Clock' highlights smoking message: Minister

17/3/02
Health Minister Bob Kucera today unveiled the 'Smoking Death Clock' on the wall of the Western Australian Heart Foundation's Subiaco headquarters.
The Death Clock will record the daily deaths caused by smoking in Australia and is a stark reminder that smoking kills.
"The Death Clock is an innovative example of how to communicate the enormous impact of smoking on our community," Mr Kucera said.
"It will tick over every 28 minutes to register the equivalent of 52 smoking-related deaths for every 24-hour period and is a highly visible and ongoing reminder that smoking is the single largest cause of preventative death in Australia."
Mr Kucera said the effects of smoking had an enormous impact, causing premature death, reducing quality of life and placing a huge financial drain on the health sector as well as the broader community.
"Last year alone, more than 19,000 Australians - more than 11 times the national road toll - died from smoking-related disease," he said.
"One in every two people who smoke regularly will eventually be killed by their habit and one in five deaths will involve people who die before the retiring age of 65."
The Minister said there was overwhelming scientific and medical evidence documenting the many adverse health effects of tobacco use with an estimated four million deaths around the world each year.
Minister's office: 9213 7000