New Tobacco Laws Pass
The Public Health (Tobacco and Other Products) Bill 2023 has passed parliament. The bill consolidates the existing tobacco control framework and introduces new measures to regulate the advertising and presentation of tobacco and e-cigarette vaping products.
The legislation comes after the Australian Government’s commitment to vaping reform. “Vaping is creating a whole new generation of nicotine dependency in our community. It poses a major threat to Australia’s success in tobacco control and the Albanese Government is not going to stand by and let this happen,” said Health Minister Mark Butler.
“Vaping was sold to governments and communities around the world as a therapeutic product to help long-term smokers quit. It was not sold as a recreational product – especially not one targeted to our kids but that is what it has become.”
“All Australian governments are committed to working together to stop the disturbing growth in vaping among our young people.”
The legislation makes key improvements to Australia’s tobacco control including:
- Updated and improved graphic health warnings on packaging.
- Health promotion inserts in tobacco product packaging.
- Ensuring e-cigarettes are also covered by advertising restrictions.
- Limiting the use of appealing brand and variant names that imply reduced harm.
- In-line with many other countries around the world, preventing the use of menthol in tobacco products.
- New reporting requirements for the tobacco industry, including the reporting of ingredients used in tobacco products.
These changes were welcomed by the Heart Foundation, The Heart Foundation CEO, David Lloyd said, “The Heart Foundation commends the multi-partisan efforts of the Parliament and congratulates the Australian Government for today’s passing of new tobacco control legislation.
“Importantly, these new laws will play a key role in helping to protect a new generation of young Australians from a life sentence of poor heart health.
“We’ve come so far in this decades-long battle against smoking and now vaping. These new laws are just the support we need to continue to reduce the burden of disease and death caused by tobacco and nicotine products.”
