THE locomotive that is an opportunity for all.
The discussion as to the future of the locomotive could be an opportunity for Swan Hill, Nyah West, and tourism.
The locomotive could be restored to its original glory at Castlemaine, converted to waste-oil burning, equipped with carriages of that period, and put back on the line with the intention of encouraging tourists to visit the area.
Booked tours arranged for people (seniors especially catered for) to travel behind a steamer from Southern Cross to Swan Hill for weekends, special events, and arranged tours of district attractions.
Arrive Friday evening, accommodation booked, Saturday and Sunday morning organised tours, depart Sunday afternoon for Castlemaine and Southern Cross.
This could be an opportunity to visit the area for those who do not wish to drive by car, and have conducted tours by local operators to see district attractions.
A special opportunity to visit Lake Mungo, from Swan Hill via Balranald, could also be linked for those wishing to travel further.
Extra tourists bring many benefits to the local economy and be win-win situation for all.
Ken Spinks,
Balranald
Smoking rates not declined
ACCORDING to the recent ABS report, indigenous smoking rates have not declined since 2012-13.
Currently, 43.4 per cent of indigenous adults smoke, compared to 45.8 per cent in 2012-13.
These statistics are an indictment on Australia’s public health policies.
The indigenous smoking rate is three times the non-indigenous rate and the gap has not decreased since 1995, in spite of the Closing the Gap program and hundreds of millions of dollars spent on ineffective strategies.
Indigenous people are disproportionately harmed by smoking which accounts for 23 per cent of the indigenous/non-indigenous health gap. It is also a major cause of financial stress and poverty.
Like other Australian smokers, indigenous people are perversely denied legal access to the most effective quitting aid, vaping nicotine.
Only 1.4 per cent of Australian indigenous adults currently vape. In contrast, the vaping rate by Maori adults is 8.1 per cent according to the recent New Zealand Annual Health Survey. Vaping is contributing to a much faster decline in smoking in that population.
Vaping is twice as effective as a quitting aid as nicotine replacement therapy such as nicotine patches and gum and is at least 95 per cent safer than smoking, according to the UK Royal College of Physicians.
It is no surprise that vaping is the most popular quitting aid in countries where it is available. Words are no longer sufficient — it is time for action.
If the Australian Government is genuinely concerned about indigenous smoking rates, it should allow legal access to nicotine for vaping.
Continuing to deny access to these products is not only unscientific, but unethical.
Conjoint Associate Professor Colin Mendelsohn (UNSW)
Foundation chairman and board member
Australian Tobacco Harm Reduction Association (ATHRA)
