Prof Samantha Thomas

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Prof of Public Health at Deakin Uni in Australia researching the commercial and political determinants of health. Mostly interested in gambling reform, the impact of alcohol marketing on women, and public health responses to the climate crisis. Qualitative research. Mum of two great teenagers.

“Major sporting codes have allowed themselves to become vehicles for the promotion & normalisation of gambling. This is not good for sport or for our communities.” My comment in The Guardian

https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/may/08/nrl-chair-peter-vlandys-widely-criticised-for-saying-sports-gambling-is-entertainment

NRL chair Peter V’landys widely criticised for saying sports gambling is ‘entertainment’

Public health experts warn that major sporting codes have allowed themselves to become vehicles for the promotion and normalisation of gambling

The Guardian

“Just like they did with smoking, Big Tobacco has taken another addictive product, wrapped it in shiny packaging and added flavours to create a new generation of nicotine addicts. This must end.”

https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/this-must-end-butler-to-ban-disposable-vapes-as-part-of-black-market-crackdown-20230501-p5d4o6.html?btis=

‘This must end’: Butler to ban disposable vapes as part of black market crackdown

Health Minister Mark Butler says the government would eliminate millions of products from convenience store shelves.

The Sydney Morning Herald

Instead of taking a strong stand to restrict gambling marketing, some sporting codes have continued to normalise the promotion of gambling products.

Gambling and sporting bodies should play no part in decisions about keeping young people and the community safe from this predatory industry.

Our new article for The Conversation #publichealth #gamblingreform

https://theconversation.com/premier-leagues-front-of-shirt-gambling-ad-ban-is-a-flawed-approach-australia-should-learn-from-it-204105

Premier League’s front-of-shirt gambling ad ban is a flawed approach. Australia should learn from it

It’s important Australia doesn’t follow the ineffective voluntary approach to gambling marketing that the UK is taking.

The Conversation

To drive rapid and effective climate action, the #publichealth community must urgently strengthen its commitment to collaborating with and empowering #youngpeople, and in advocating for changes in structures that currently block young people's meaningful participation in responses to the #climatecrisis.

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/hpja.734

Political decision-making has significant power and influence over population health and wellbeing. Young people are able to engage in discussions about the political determinants of the climate crisis and provide a range of recommendations for climate and action. Addressing structural barriers to young peoples' participation will ensure that they are considered full partners in the decisions that are made about the climate crisis.

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/hpja.734

New paper! ‼️

We asked Australian young people about their perceptions of government responses to the #climatecrisis

Young people perceived that governments were not taking serious action on climate. They stated that climate policies were influenced by economic imperatives, rather than concern for the wellbeing of current and future generations. They perceived that governments had a duty of care to protect them from the #climatecrisis

⬇️⬇️

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/hpja.734

Delighted to share that I am the new Editor in Chief for Health Promotion International. Read my first editorial with Emeritus Professor Mike Daube the new Chair of the Editorial Board here:

“Health promotion is not for the faint-hearted, or those who want an easy path through life.”

https://academic.oup.com/heapro/article/38/1/daad012/7051109

New times, new challenges for health promotion

We embark on our stewardship as the new Editor-in-Chief and Chair of the Editorial Board of Health Promotion International at a critical time for both the plane

OUP Academic

Our new article on The Conversation looks at the extent to which young people are exposed to gambling promotion.

“A docile approach by governments that sees gambling as being somehow different from other unhealthy products must change if we are to see effective, evidence-based approaches to gambling harm prevention.”

https://theconversation.com/from-tv-to-tiktok-young-people-are-exposed-to-gambling-promotions-everywhere-200067

From TV to TikTok, young people are exposed to gambling promotions everywhere

We interviewed 11- to 17-year-olds and they told us gambling advertising is so pervasive in their lives, it’s become normalised.

The Conversation

Big thanks to the Lost Dogs Home for the new member of the Thomas family.

Meet Hamish ❤️

They are currently at capacity and it was only $50 to adopt this gorgeous boy.

RT @[email protected]

An incredible opportunity for 2 post-doctoral fellowships exploring climate change, migration & urbanisation in Ghana & S. Africa. Sponsored by the @[email protected] in collaboration with @[email protected], @[email protected] in Johannesburg, and the @[email protected] in Ghana .https://www.mmg.mpg.de/1001030/two-research-fellows @[email protected]

🐦🔗: https://twitter.com/lorenlandau/status/1602287404982976512

Two Research Fellows [Postdoctoral]