Mr Abbott Needs to Kick His Habit

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PDF printable version of Mr Abbott Needs to Kick His Habit (PDF 16 KB)

17 May 2011

Minister for Health and Ageing Nicola Roxon today called on the Liberal and National Parties to stop accepting donations from tobacco companies and get behind the Government's push for plain packaging of tobacco.

The Liberal and National Parties have accepted a combined $3 million in donations from Big Tobacco, with more than $1.7 million of those donations accepted after 2004 when Labor stopped accepting these poisonous donations.

"Mr Abbott needs to kick his habit," Minister Roxon said.

“As a former health minister, Mr Abbott knows that tobacco kills 15,000 Australians each year – a tragic number that brings suffering to families all over Australia.

"Accepting donations from Big Tobacco is just not acceptable, given we know how dangerous these products are and to what low levels these companies will stoop to keep killing Australians.

"The support for plain packaging has come from far and wide. Even Mr Abbott's Liberal colleagues in the NSW Parliament are supporting the Gillard Government on this front.

“Mr Abbott is becoming increasingly isolated - former Coalition leader Dr Brendan Nelson said recently,

“Part of the packaging and marketing of the tobacco industry is to see that the packaging reinforces images of identity and social aspiration that young people so long for in those formative years.”

"The only question Australians should be asking today is, 'When will the Liberal Party stop defending Big Tobacco and start defending the health of Australians?'" Minister Roxon said.

The Gillard Government’s legislation is a world first and will restrict tobacco industry logos, brand imagery, colours and promotional text appearing on packs.

The only thing to distinguish one brand from another will be the brand and product name in a standard colour, standard position and standard font size and style.

In addition, health warnings will be updated and increased from 30 per cent to 75 per cent of the front of the pack, as well as 90 per cent of the back.

Public consultation for the Tobacco Plain Packaging Bill 2011 concludes on 6 June 2011. The Government is aiming to have the Bill introduced during the winter sitting.

For more information, contact the Minister's Office on (02) 6277 7220