Parliament Passes World First Plain Packaging of Tobacco Legislation
The Australian Parliament has passed the Australian Government’s world-leading tobacco plain packaging legislation, meaning all tobacco products sold in Australia will need to be in plain packaging from 1 December 2012.
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21 November 2011
The Australian Parliament today passed the Gillard Government’s world-leading tobacco plain packaging legislation, meaning all tobacco products sold in Australia will need to be in plain packaging from 1 December 2012.
Minister for Health and Ageing Nicola Roxon welcomed the passage of the legislation and asked big tobacco to accept the will of the Australian Parliament.
“Today, one of the most momentous public health measures in Australia’s history has been delivered by the Australian Parliament—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 a habit to challenge Australian Government tobacco controls over the decades. Today, I ask them to break their habit and act in the best interest of the health and wellbeing of the Australian people and accept the determination of the people’s Parliament.
“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 Gillard Government’s world-leading plain packaging legislation comprises two bills: the Tobacco Plain Packaging Bill 2011 and Trade Marks Amendment (Tobacco Plain Packaging) Bill 2011. 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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