ADVERTISING campaigns and tax hikes designed to curb smoking and dangerous drinking haven't made enough headway in Wyndham, according to a Werribee GP after the release of the latest health snapshot.
The Victorian Population Health Survey revealed 22.6per cent of Wyndham men and 24.5per cent of women were smokers.
Wyndham residents also showed above-average rates of alcohol abuse with 17.4per cent of men and 7per cent of women drinking alcohol at high-risk levels.
Westgate GP Network chairman Joe Garra (pictured) said smoking and alcohol consumption were behind scores of health problems among Wyndham residents.
Smoking was the big killer, but a difficult habit to kick.
"I see a lot of smoking-related illnesses in Werribee, as we do everywhere, but the problem is that no medication for giving up smoking is 100per cent successful," he said.
"People know they should give up smoking, they know it's not a good thing that they're doing, but they still find it hard. "
Dr Garra said alcohol consumption led to high rates of liver disease and booze-fuelled domestic violence injuries.
He said drinking patterns among young people in Wyndham were also worrying.
"There's been an increase in spirit drinking. Forty years ago, young people drank beer, but now it's shots and pre-mixed drinks. People are drinking higher, dangerous concentrations of alcohol more quickly."
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