ONE of the areas where Government policy has been successful in recent years is in helping reduce cancer rates. In NSW we are up there with world’s best practice. The dramatic reduction in the number of people smoking over the past 20 years has had a big impact on a number of cancers, particularly lung cancer. Anti-smoking laws have played a large role in this improvement but they have often been criticised particularly for banning smoking in restaurants, hotels and clubs for example. The latest piece of anti-smoking legislation makes it an offence to smoke if a child under 16 years is in the car. Cigarettes are now banned from display in retail outlets and a business premise can only have one cigarette vending machine. Tobacco companies are now banned from sponsoring sporting and racing events. Critics will say this is an unfair invasion into people’s lifestyle but all the evidence suggests that a child’s exposure to other people’s smoke does make them susceptible to health damage. The strategy for tobacco is that if it is out of sight it should be out of mind.

Another anti cancer campaign the Government is embarking on is a $2 million awareness campaign targeting young men prone to deadly melanoma through sun exposure. Young men are particularly drawn to the outdoor lifestyle but unfortunately 30 percent of all cancers in young people between 15 and 30 is melanomas, a form of cancer that is entirely preventable. The Dark Side of Tanning advertisements developed by the NSW Cancer Institute has built a successful campaign targeting young women, which was launched last summer. Exposure to the sun while involved in sport and recreational activities is a common way for young people to develop melanomas and they can lay dormant for many years. We should all be aware of the well-known slip, slop campaign and make sure we are protected particularly during the summer months.

I HAVE had requests from locals as to the possibility of inmates from the Oberon prison farm being allowed to partake in local sporting teams. I have been to a number of graduation ceremonies for young offenders in the 18 to 25 age group, who are being assisted with work skills to allow them to assimilate back into the community. The program is very successful and a model that other states and countries use as a benchmark.

I have asked the Minister for Corrective Services to consider the idea of suitable inmates being allowed to join local rugby league, cricket and other team sports to help them with the social side of their rehabilitation.