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“
The
health of NSW children will be the big winner from a commitment by the
Iemma government to legislate to put tobacco out of sight in shops. NSW
Cabinet will put legislation to parliament that will ban tobacco
displays in large retail outlets in six months from legislation,
smaller shops in a year and tobacconists in four years. The
government will also license tobacco sellers, ban tobacco products
from shopper loyalty schemes, and make cars carrying children
smokefree. Tobacco vending machines will be further restricted. Child
welfare, church, health and medical organisations* have applauded the
cabinet decision as a big win for children’s health – in the face
of an aggressive and misleading campaign by the tobacco industry
against the retail moves. Said
Anne Jones, Chief Executive of ASH Australia: “We
commend the government’s good sense, and we particularly applaud the
work of Cancer Minister Verity Firth and Premier Morris Iemma in their
determination to put the health of NSW children ahead of the narrow
concerns of tobacco dealers. “This
is a great move towards getting tobacco smoke and displays out of
children’s faces. “It
will help people trying to quit by reducing the risk of relapse from
impulse buying. “It
will support the NSW Cancer Plan and the state economy, which will
benefit from reduced health costs from lower teenage smoking uptake,
fewer failed quit attempts, and less secondhand smoke exposure. “To
their credit the government has rejected flawed tobacco seller
arguments for messy exemptions which would have weakened the
effectiveness of the out-of-sight move. “We
congratulate the many organisations and individuals who have helped
achieve this, after a long campaign with strong public support. “The
community – especially parents - will welcome this decision with
enthusiasm.”
*
see Protecting Children from Tobacco campaign at
www.ashaust.org.au/lv4/ProtectChildrenEndorsements.htm
Comment: Anne Jones, CEO, ASH Australia ph. (02) 9334-1876; m. 0417-227-879 Media
info: Stafford
Sanders, ASH Australia
ph. (02) 9334-1823; m.
0412-070-194
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Page last updated 30/7/08 |
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