Amendments to Tobacco Plain Packaging Start Date
The Government has announced revised implementation timeframes for the introduction of its world first tobacco plain packaging legislation following delays in the Senate passing the legislation.
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2 November 2011
The Government today announced revised implementation timeframes for the introduction of its world first tobacco plain packaging legislation following delays in the Senate passing the legislation.
“The plain packaging legislation passed the House of Representatives in August 2011 but has yet to pass the Senate. Therefore the Government has revised the implementation timeframes to give industry enough time to make the changes required,” said Ms Roxon.
“While I do not agree with the tobacco companies on most things, I think that it is important that industry gets a reasonable timeframe to make an orderly transition to plain packaging.
“Plain packaging will remove the last channel for marketing tobacco in Australia and is part of a Government strategy to reduce the toll from 15,000 tobacco related deaths a year.
“Marketing of tobacco will have a few last gasps next year, but this law will shortly stub it out for good.
“I know that many public health groups have advocated for this legislation and I would ask them to urge the Senate to ensure that there are no further delays,” said Ms Roxon.
The Government will move amendments that will have:
- preliminary provisions of the legislation commence from Royal Assent (previously 1 January 2012);
- offences relating to manufacture of non-compliant product in Australia commence on 1 October 2012 (previously 20 May 2012); and
- all tobacco products required to be sold in plain packaging from 1 December 2012 (previously 1 July 2012).
The Government’s amendments will maintain the vital public health objective of this section of the Bill, but will allow for an orderly transition.
For further information, contact Ms Roxon's office (02) 6277 7220
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