House Passes Tobacco Excise Legislation
Legislation that will help encourage an estimated 87,000 Australians to quit smoking has been passed in the House of Representatives.
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1 June 2010
Legislation that will help encourage an estimated 87,000 Australians to quit smoking tonight passed the House of Representatives.
On 30 April the excise on tobacco products was increased by 25 per cent through a 12 month order issued by the Government. This legislation is to make the change permanent and will be considered by the Senate during its next sitting fortnight.
This measure is estimated to reduce the consumption of tobacco by 6 percent and the number of smokers by 2-3 per cent.
This measure is part of a comprehensive package of anti-smoking measures including introducing the world’s first plain packaging regime, $85 million for anti-smoking campaigns and $5 million extra for Quitline services.
In 2003 it was estimated that smoking results in approximately 15,000 Australian deaths a year. This is more deaths than murder, illegal drugs, motor vehicle accidents and alcohol combined.
This action was recommended by the Preventative Health Taskforce and the Future Tax Review. It has been supported by the Heart Foundation, Cancer Council, AMA, ANF.
Smokers can phone the Quitline confidentially on 131 848 from anywhere in Australia for the cost of a local call*.
For all media inquiries, please contact the Minister's Office on 02 6277 7220
*May be higher from mobile phones
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