Becky Freeman
@drbfreeman.bsky.social
Professor at the University of Sydney, School of Public Health. Research interests: tobacco, vaping, social media, commercial determinants of health. She/Her
New analysis: Progress in reducing regular smoking among Māori, Pacific and European teens slowed after the emergence of vaping in Aotearoa. The added harm is more serious for Māori and Pacific youth, who have higher rates of smoking and vaping than their peers theconversation.com/vaping-has-s...
Vaping has slowed progress in cutting teen smoking in NZ – new study
More teenagers are now smoking regularly than if pre-vaping smoking trends had continued, widening inequities for Māori and Pacific youth.
theconversation.com
November 5, 2025 at 2:16 AM
New analysis: Progress in reducing regular smoking among Māori, Pacific and European teens slowed after the emergence of vaping in Aotearoa. The added harm is more serious for Māori and Pacific youth, who have higher rates of smoking and vaping than their peers theconversation.com/vaping-has-s...
Reposted by Becky Freeman
they just slapped a surgeons general warning on RFK like he’s a pack of cigarettes
“Secretary Kennedy is entitled to his views. But he is not entitled to put people’s health at risk.”
Six former surgeons general condemn RFK Jr.
Six former surgeons general condemn RFK Jr.
Opinion | Six surgeons general: RFK Jr. is a threat to the health of Americans
It was our duty in office to warn of dangers when we found them. We’re doing that again today.
www.washingtonpost.com
October 7, 2025 at 1:58 PM
they just slapped a surgeons general warning on RFK like he’s a pack of cigarettes
Reposted by Becky Freeman
🚭 Leadership is needed to tackle illicit tobacco in Australia.
A new commentary argues:
- Tobacco market is over-supplied & under-regulated
- Cutting excise isn’t the answer
- Stronger licensing & caps on retailers needed
Read 👉 www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
A new commentary argues:
- Tobacco market is over-supplied & under-regulated
- Cutting excise isn’t the answer
- Stronger licensing & caps on retailers needed
Read 👉 www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
October 1, 2025 at 1:31 AM
🚭 Leadership is needed to tackle illicit tobacco in Australia.
A new commentary argues:
- Tobacco market is over-supplied & under-regulated
- Cutting excise isn’t the answer
- Stronger licensing & caps on retailers needed
Read 👉 www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
A new commentary argues:
- Tobacco market is over-supplied & under-regulated
- Cutting excise isn’t the answer
- Stronger licensing & caps on retailers needed
Read 👉 www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
Reposted by Becky Freeman
Tuesday marks 75 years since the historic September 30, 1950 Doll & Hill BMJ paper confirming smoking as a cause of lung cancer. For 75 years tobacco companies have been selling and promoting products they know are lethal when used as intended.
www.bmj.com/content/2/46...
www.bmj.com/content/2/46...
September 29, 2025 at 7:00 AM
Tuesday marks 75 years since the historic September 30, 1950 Doll & Hill BMJ paper confirming smoking as a cause of lung cancer. For 75 years tobacco companies have been selling and promoting products they know are lethal when used as intended.
www.bmj.com/content/2/46...
www.bmj.com/content/2/46...
No need for science when pregnancy is your political football
September 22, 2025 at 10:33 PM
No need for science when pregnancy is your political football
Gobsmacking when this advice had such huge influence "Neither the Associate Minister nor the Minister's office staff had been able to confirm who had written tobacco policy notes that were held in the Minister's office in paper form and used for ministerial purposes,"
www.rnz.co.nz/news/politic...
www.rnz.co.nz/news/politic...
Casey Costello breached rules by giving tobacco industry-friendly document to health officials
But the inquiry has still not revealed who wrote the 'mystery document', which claimed nicotine was no more harmful than caffeine.
www.rnz.co.nz
September 17, 2025 at 11:56 PM
Gobsmacking when this advice had such huge influence "Neither the Associate Minister nor the Minister's office staff had been able to confirm who had written tobacco policy notes that were held in the Minister's office in paper form and used for ministerial purposes,"
www.rnz.co.nz/news/politic...
www.rnz.co.nz/news/politic...
Reposted by Becky Freeman
Critics of the tobacco excise argue the tax has stopped working to further reduce smoking rates and should be lowered.
👉 Read the full story: theconversation.com/could-m...
👉 Read the full story: theconversation.com/could-m...
September 16, 2025 at 10:00 PM
Critics of the tobacco excise argue the tax has stopped working to further reduce smoking rates and should be lowered.
👉 Read the full story: theconversation.com/could-m...
👉 Read the full story: theconversation.com/could-m...
Insightful read. Aligns with World Bank view that tobacco tax rates have a smaller impact on the illicit tobacco market than effective enforcement, regulation, and supply chain controls. Exactly what we're calling for in Australia to combat illicit @ashorguk.bsky.social
ash.org.uk/media-centre...
ash.org.uk/media-centre...
From smuggling to spin: how tobacco giants hijacked the illicit trade debate - ASH
Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) is a campaigning public health charity that works to eliminate the harm caused by tobacco.
ash.org.uk
September 4, 2025 at 12:45 AM
Insightful read. Aligns with World Bank view that tobacco tax rates have a smaller impact on the illicit tobacco market than effective enforcement, regulation, and supply chain controls. Exactly what we're calling for in Australia to combat illicit @ashorguk.bsky.social
ash.org.uk/media-centre...
ash.org.uk/media-centre...
Reposted by Becky Freeman
New statement: IDSA, APHA and partners call for RFK Jr. to resign: "Our country needs leadership that will promote open, honest dialogue — not disregard decades of lifesaving science, spread misinformation, reverse medical progress and decimate programs that keep us safe." bit.ly/3JOgDya
September 3, 2025 at 11:10 PM
New statement: IDSA, APHA and partners call for RFK Jr. to resign: "Our country needs leadership that will promote open, honest dialogue — not disregard decades of lifesaving science, spread misinformation, reverse medical progress and decimate programs that keep us safe." bit.ly/3JOgDya
Reposted by Becky Freeman
An extraordinary joint op-ed and plea by NINE former directors or acting directors of the CDC under both Democratic and Republican administrations, succinctly describing undermining of public health, and what’s needed now.
(gift link)
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/01/o...
(gift link)
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/01/o...
Opinion | We Ran the C.D.C.: Kennedy Is Endangering Every American’s Health
www.nytimes.com
September 1, 2025 at 5:43 PM
An extraordinary joint op-ed and plea by NINE former directors or acting directors of the CDC under both Democratic and Republican administrations, succinctly describing undermining of public health, and what’s needed now.
(gift link)
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/01/o...
(gift link)
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/01/o...
Reposted by Becky Freeman
So, the technical report on Age Assurance (nee Verification) basically says no single tool works well enough to be relied on, and all the concerns about inaccuracy, bias and privacy flagged before the report all remain. 🙄
www.abc.net.au/news/2025-08...
www.abc.net.au/news/2025-08...
Social media age verification possible but laden with risks, study warns
The study, which will inform the government's impending social media ban for under-16s, found several methods were viable, but no method was foolproof, with concerns over both accuracy and privacy.
www.abc.net.au
September 1, 2025 at 12:13 AM
So, the technical report on Age Assurance (nee Verification) basically says no single tool works well enough to be relied on, and all the concerns about inaccuracy, bias and privacy flagged before the report all remain. 🙄
www.abc.net.au/news/2025-08...
www.abc.net.au/news/2025-08...
Reposted by Becky Freeman
We can’t be complacent here - time for some action to keep our community safe
‘Blindsided’: father of Port Arthur massacre victims says NSW hunting bill will take a ‘jackhammer’ to gun control
www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
‘Blindsided’: father of Port Arthur massacre victims says NSW hunting bill will take a ‘jackhammer’ to gun control
Walter Mikac, who lost his wife and two daughters in the 1996 shooting, warns that Labor-backed Shooters party bill will weaken national firearms agreement
www.theguardian.com
August 26, 2025 at 9:29 AM
We can’t be complacent here - time for some action to keep our community safe
Vape brands bypass regulations on marketing to young people by using global social media accounts
theconversation.com/vape-brands-...
theconversation.com/vape-brands-...
Vape brands bypass regulations on marketing to young people by using global social media accounts
Vape manufacturers mirror traditional tobacco marketing, including stylish branding, flavours and sponsorships, to reach young people through social media.
theconversation.com
August 12, 2025 at 11:05 PM
Vape brands bypass regulations on marketing to young people by using global social media accounts
theconversation.com/vape-brands-...
theconversation.com/vape-brands-...
Reposted by Becky Freeman
🔔 This week in InSight+
Australia’s progress in reducing adolescent smoking has slowed — vaping may be why
buff.ly/pEqUuQ5
@drbfreeman.bsky.social
@martinmckee.bsky.social
@simonchapman.bsky.social
Australia’s progress in reducing adolescent smoking has slowed — vaping may be why
buff.ly/pEqUuQ5
@drbfreeman.bsky.social
@martinmckee.bsky.social
@simonchapman.bsky.social
August 1, 2025 at 12:01 AM
🔔 This week in InSight+
Australia’s progress in reducing adolescent smoking has slowed — vaping may be why
buff.ly/pEqUuQ5
@drbfreeman.bsky.social
@martinmckee.bsky.social
@simonchapman.bsky.social
Australia’s progress in reducing adolescent smoking has slowed — vaping may be why
buff.ly/pEqUuQ5
@drbfreeman.bsky.social
@martinmckee.bsky.social
@simonchapman.bsky.social
Excellent news - very pleased to see this action on illicit tobacco from the NSW government www.health.nsw.gov.au/news/Pages/2...
News - Suite of tough new illegal tobacco measures unveiled
The NSW Government will introduce tough new laws to crackdown on the sale of illicit tobacco and illegal vaping goods across the state.
www.health.nsw.gov.au
July 28, 2025 at 2:47 AM
Excellent news - very pleased to see this action on illicit tobacco from the NSW government www.health.nsw.gov.au/news/Pages/2...
What happened to teen smoking rates in Australia as vaping emerged? New analysis out today insightplus.mja.com.au/2025/29/aust...
Australia’s progress in reducing adolescent smoking has slowed — vaping may be why - InSight+
In October last year, we published findings from our retrospective cohort analysis of data from the Generation Vape study in the Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health, accompanied by an ...
insightplus.mja.com.au
July 27, 2025 at 11:45 PM
What happened to teen smoking rates in Australia as vaping emerged? New analysis out today insightplus.mja.com.au/2025/29/aust...
Very welcome news. I’m very encouraged to see cross party support to seriously tackle illicit tobacco use in NSW www.smh.com.au/politics/nsw...
Eviction, jail and $1.5 million fines for illegal tobacco sellers
Landlords would be given the power to evict tenants caught selling illegal cigarettes in a plan to fight the thriving tobacco black market.
www.smh.com.au
July 22, 2025 at 3:14 AM
Very welcome news. I’m very encouraged to see cross party support to seriously tackle illicit tobacco use in NSW www.smh.com.au/politics/nsw...
Reposted by Becky Freeman
🧵1/8
Sam Egger and I raise serious concerns about a recent systematic review in Addiction, which suggests that e-cigarettes don’t lead to youth smoking. We argue the review's risk of bias (ROB) assessments are so deeply flawed that it can’t be relied on. 👇
Sam Egger and I raise serious concerns about a recent systematic review in Addiction, which suggests that e-cigarettes don’t lead to youth smoking. We argue the review's risk of bias (ROB) assessments are so deeply flawed that it can’t be relied on. 👇
July 6, 2025 at 6:22 AM
🧵1/8
Sam Egger and I raise serious concerns about a recent systematic review in Addiction, which suggests that e-cigarettes don’t lead to youth smoking. We argue the review's risk of bias (ROB) assessments are so deeply flawed that it can’t be relied on. 👇
Sam Egger and I raise serious concerns about a recent systematic review in Addiction, which suggests that e-cigarettes don’t lead to youth smoking. We argue the review's risk of bias (ROB) assessments are so deeply flawed that it can’t be relied on. 👇
Reposted by Becky Freeman
Australia’s new lung cancer screen program further disadvantages Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, who are already at increased risk of lung cancer.
Australia’s new lung cancer screening program has chosen simplicity over equity, and we’re concerned
theconversation.com
July 4, 2025 at 1:29 AM
Australia’s new lung cancer screen program further disadvantages Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, who are already at increased risk of lung cancer.
Beautifully written paper on how young women in a rural Alberta community 🇨🇦 navigated planning for their future. I’m from a similar area and I was really struck by how alike my experience was…way back in the 90’s academic.oup.com/heapro/artic...
A qualitative study of how young women in a rural Canadian community plan their futures
Abstract. Education and employment are well-acknowledged social determinants of health. However, little is known about how young women in rural, resource-d
academic.oup.com
July 2, 2025 at 5:35 AM
Beautifully written paper on how young women in a rural Alberta community 🇨🇦 navigated planning for their future. I’m from a similar area and I was really struck by how alike my experience was…way back in the 90’s academic.oup.com/heapro/artic...
Reposted by Becky Freeman
My long time colleague @drbfreeman.bsky.social plain speaking on the NSW tobacco retail license starting today. www.smh.com.au/national/i-c... All the illegal retailers already break the law. Many will figure so what? Unless they are inspected & handed massive fines.
I can see seven smokes shops from my bus stop - governments must act
Although Australia is a world leader in smoking cessation, we’ve done very little to control how and where tobacco is sold. These shops are everywhere.
www.smh.com.au
June 30, 2025 at 8:45 PM
My long time colleague @drbfreeman.bsky.social plain speaking on the NSW tobacco retail license starting today. www.smh.com.au/national/i-c... All the illegal retailers already break the law. Many will figure so what? Unless they are inspected & handed massive fines.
Reposted by Becky Freeman
I’m delighted that we have seen an increase in the 2024 CiteScore / rankings for @healthpromint.bsky.social !
Our CiteScore is up to 5.0 & we have risen 7 places in Health (Social Science) & 14 places in Public Health rankings. 👏👏👏
Huge thanks to the editorial team!
academic.oup.com/heapro
Our CiteScore is up to 5.0 & we have risen 7 places in Health (Social Science) & 14 places in Public Health rankings. 👏👏👏
Huge thanks to the editorial team!
academic.oup.com/heapro
Health Promotion International | Oxford Academic
Publishes papers on major themes and innovations in the health promotion field. The journal publishes contributions from sectors beyond health, and seeks to promote theoretical, methodological, and ac...
academic.oup.com
June 5, 2025 at 9:17 PM
I’m delighted that we have seen an increase in the 2024 CiteScore / rankings for @healthpromint.bsky.social !
Our CiteScore is up to 5.0 & we have risen 7 places in Health (Social Science) & 14 places in Public Health rankings. 👏👏👏
Huge thanks to the editorial team!
academic.oup.com/heapro
Our CiteScore is up to 5.0 & we have risen 7 places in Health (Social Science) & 14 places in Public Health rankings. 👏👏👏
Huge thanks to the editorial team!
academic.oup.com/heapro
Agreed to review a paper and noticed this request in the email instructions: "Please destroy the manuscript when you have completed your review." A real missed opportunity here for some Mission Impossible style tech to protect academic peer review confidentiality
a close up of a man 's face with the words mission impossible on the bottom right
Alt: a close up of a man 's face with the words mission impossible on the bottom right
media.tenor.com
June 3, 2025 at 6:12 AM
Agreed to review a paper and noticed this request in the email instructions: "Please destroy the manuscript when you have completed your review." A real missed opportunity here for some Mission Impossible style tech to protect academic peer review confidentiality
Reposted by Becky Freeman
@chrisminnsmp.bsky.social has today blamed high federal excise for burgeoning illegal tobacco sales. Simple arithmetic shows that ALL tobacco tax would need to be axed to make legal cigs competitive with illicits -- see simonchapman6.com/2025/05/26/s... Enforcement (like SAust) is how
South Australia is busting illegal tobacco traders big time. What’s stopping the rest of the country?
Labor’s stunning election victory and the relegation of the conservative opposition to likely years of political eunuch status opens up many opportunities across all areas of government. With healt…
simonchapman6.com
June 2, 2025 at 2:07 AM
@chrisminnsmp.bsky.social has today blamed high federal excise for burgeoning illegal tobacco sales. Simple arithmetic shows that ALL tobacco tax would need to be axed to make legal cigs competitive with illicits -- see simonchapman6.com/2025/05/26/s... Enforcement (like SAust) is how