South Australia Government drops Quit anti-smoking advertising campaign, cuts 30 drug and alcohol staff Major crime detectives called in to investigate the discovery of a body at Paradise, the Cancer Council angry over funding cuts to anti-smoking ads and an Adelaide family business closes its doors after 50 years THE State Government will quit its anti-smoking advertising campaign and cut 30 anti-tobacco, drug and alcohol jobs in a budget savings measure. Health Minister Jack Snelling praised the ad campaign as effective and called dropping the advertising a 'pause' as part of the plan to save $5.2 million a year. In what observers called a 'smokescreen' Mr Snelling tagged the announcement onto a press conference called to discuss a discussion paper on banning smoking outdoors. The health cuts will see 30 jobs go from Drug and Alcohol Services SA. "This is a choice about frontline clinical services," Mr Snelling said. I am having to think very carefully about the best use of taxpayer dollars. SA Health has wideranging and competing funding pressures, including a requirement to find approximately $160 million in savings across the system in 2013/14. I need to be assured that funding is being used in a way that meets the core needs of people using the health system. SA Health will continue to fund the Quit Line telephone service but will stop advocating in schools and workplaces. It also will cut its 24-hour telephone-based triage service for people with substance use problems to 9am to 5pm. Mr Snelling also indicated the Women's and Children's Hospital is the next organisation in the health budget firing line, noting it is spending $1000 more per patient than benchmark hospitals interstate. While dumping the anti-smoking ads the Government released draft proposals to make outdoor eating and drinking areas 'smoke-free'. The public can give their views on the Smoke-Free Outdoor Commercial Eating and Drinking Areas discussion paper which proposes prohibiting smoking in outdoor areas of hospitality venues where food and drink are served. Mr Snelling said banning smoking in alfresco eating and drinking areas would help to reduce the amount of people affected by second-hand smoke, but could also have an impact on the hospitality industry. Under the proposal smoking would be allowed in the outdoor areas of venues as long as it is in a 'discreet' location, does not permit people under the age of 18, and has no food or drink served. The discussion paper is open for consultation until November 1, see www.sahealth.sa.gov.au