Why a medical doctor would stand alone against tobacco legislation

A single stethoscope lies rested on a polished timber desk next to an open medical textbook and a pair of reading glasses, captured in a tight eye-level close-up with shallow depth of field and sharp focus on the metal chest piece, set inside a quiet private consultation room with afternoon light filtering through Venetian blinds, lit with soft natural golden hour light and high detail, 4k hyper-realistic stock photo shot on a full-frame DSLR with a 50mm lens at f/1.8, ISO 100, ultra-sharp detail, --ar 16:9 --no text.

An unconventional diagnosis

It is not every day that you see a medical practitioner standing in the House to oppose a piece of tobacco control legislation. To some, it may look like a contradiction. After all, smoking remains one of the heaviest burdens on our healthcare system. I have spent my career treating the damage it causes to lungs, hearts, and lives.

Today, I stood alone to record my opposition to the Tobacco Products Control Amendment Bill 2026. While I congratulate the members who led this bill through its readings, I found myself in the uncomfortable position of a doctor who disagrees with a popular prescription. My concern is not with the intent, which is admirable, but with the efficacy of the cure.

Focusing on symptoms rather than causes

In my years as a GP, I have learned that treating the symptoms while ignoring the underlying cause rarely leads to a permanent recovery. This bill is a sensible piece of work in a vacuum, yet I fear its impact will not be as dramatic as we all hope. We are dealing with the consequences of nicotine addiction rather than the root drivers that make smoking appealing to the next generation.

The risk we face is a false sense of security. If we pass laws that look good on paper but fail to move the needle on health outcomes, we are simply wasting time. We need to make smoking truly unpopular and ensure children never see it as a viable path for their future. This requires a shift in how we approach public health completely.

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The weight of the evidence

I wanted my name to stand alone on this issue because I believe we are going about this the wrong way. We are repeating old patterns and expecting a different result. This is a moment where the forward-thinkers must ask if we are actually solving the problem or just managing the optics.

There is a distinct sinking feeling in knowing that the collective will of Parliament might be focused on an ineffective solution. I hope desperately that I am wrong. I would be the first to stand here in two or three years and apologise if the data proves this bill was a success. However, as a man of science, I must follow the evidence as I see it today: and the evidence suggests we should be doing much more to address the underlying causes of this public health crisis.

The full transcript of my statement can be found in the official Hansard record. If you believe in a sensible, science-first approach to lawmaking, I invite you to join Legalise Cannabis WA as we continue to fight for better health outcomes for all Western Australians.