Senate Passes World First Plain Packaging of Tobacco Legislation
The Australian Government’s world-leading tobacco plain packaging legislation has passed through the Australian Senate, meaning all tobacco products sold in Australia must be in plain packaging from 1 December 2012.
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10 November 2011
The Gillard Government’s world-leading tobacco plain packaging legislation today passed through the Australian Senate, meaning all tobacco products sold in Australia will need to be in plain packaging from 1 December 2012.
“Today, the Australian Senate passed one of the most significant public health measures in its history—legislation requiring the plain packaging of tobacco products,” said Ms Roxon.
“Plain packaging means that the glamour is gone from smoking and cigarettes are now exposed for what they are: killer products that destroy thousands of Australian families.
“We know that packaging remains one of the last powerful marketing tools for tobacco companies to recruit new smokers to their deadly products. In the future, cigarette packets will serve only as a stark reminder of the devastating health effects of smoking.
“Big tobacco has made it clear that it will fight the Government all the way as it has with each step Australia has taken to introduce tobacco control. It has thrown millions of dollars into high-profile advertising campaigns and now has flagged legal challenges.
“The Government is not intimidated by big tobacco and is determined to act in the best interests of the health and wellbeing of the Australian people.
“Let there be no mistake, big tobacco is fighting against the Government for one very simple reason—because it knows, as we do, that plain packaging will work. While it is fighting to protect its profits, we are fighting to protect lives.
“The World Health Organization has recognised Australia’s lead in tobacco control, singling out our plain packaging legislation as an example for the world to follow,” said Ms Roxon.
The amendments to the Tobacco Plain Packaging Bill 2011 that were passed by the Senate will now be voted on by the House of Representatives. The laws require all tobacco products required to be sold in plain packaging from 1 December 2012. Further details are available from www.yourhealth.gov.au
For more information, contact Ms Roxon’s Office on 02 6277 7220
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