ASH Australia media release                                       February 9, 2012

Bill tightens tobacco internet advertising loopholes

Senate passage welcomed

Legislation passed by the Senate will help close loopholes in tobacco advertising on the internet.  

The Tobacco Advertising Prohibition Amendment Bill 2010 adopts a cautious approach, bringing restrictions on the internet and other electronic into line with those in other media and at physical points of sale.

Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) Australia has welcomed passage of the bill.

Says ASH Chief Executive Anne Jones: “We accept that internet regulation and enforcement can be difficult – little can be done about ads placed by foreign companies on overseas websites viewed in Australia.

“This bill at least acts to ensure Australian individuals or companies can’t go further on Australian websites than they can in print, on TV or radio.

“And the Bill also extends the definition of ‘published in Australia’ to include material published here by Australian citizens, permanent residents, Australian-incorporated entities, and foreign individuals or entities operating in Australia.

“We welcome the legislation, which will help reduce the promotion of these deadly, addictive products – especially to young people, who are the tobacco industry’s main targets for smoking recruitment and addiction.”  

  *Tobacco Advertising Prohibition Amendment Bill with explanations and 2^nd reading speeches at http://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p;query%3DId%3A%22legislation
%2Fbillhome%2Fr4488%22

Comment:       
Anne Jones OAM, Chief Executive   ph. (02) 9334-1876;  m. 0417-227-879  

Media information:       Stafford Sanders   ph. (02) 9334-1823;  m. 0412-070-194

Page last updated 9/2/12