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SUMMARY The state of health of South-East Asian nations depends as much or more on extranational forces beyond their control —global warming, economic boom and bust—as it does on their own policies and practices. Nonetheless, the political systems of the region, the scope that these allow for community participation, and their attitudes to human rights, are also key determinants of health status. Governments in the region hold different attitudes to the desirability of a monopoly of effective power in government hands, and therefore vary in their commitment to concepts of community empowerment for health promotion and the involvement of non-governmental organizations. Health promotion in these nations is inextricably linked with the creation of social capital.

This paper assesses the rationale, procedures and outcomes of VicHealth, a health promotion programme funded by a dedicated tax on tobacco products in Victoria, Australia. The appraisal explores the affinity between health promotion and leisure contexts and the feasibility of breaking the association between tobacco and certain leisure activities. It demonstrates the value of a holistic, organizational approach with a strong funding base.