The Tasmanian State Government is considering a bill that would, in effect, create a world-first “tobacco-free generation,” by extending current laws to make it illegal to sell any cigarettes or tobacco products to any person born this century.
“The two greatest obstacles tobacco control faces in Australia are Big Tobacco and complacency,” and that “anything that helps to reduce smoking is welcome, and anything opposed by tobacco companies is likely to be worthwhile.”
He further stated that laws that restrict the sale of tobacco to young people are needed Australia-wide, and need to be considered against a raft of other options.
“Others that have been proposed include smokers’ licenses, ending all tobacco industry public relations and lobbying, removing licenses to sell tobacco from any retailer found selling cigarettes to minors, and litigation against tobacco companies for the massive costs to the community caused by their products.”
However, whilst Professor John Lowe – head of the School of Health and Sports Sciences at the University of the Sunshine Coast – agreed that the laws were a step in the right direction, its effectiveness as policy remains questionable.
“Will it reduce the number of young people in Tasmania smoking? Yes. Will it reduce the total number of people over 21 who already smoke? No.”
Lowe made this statement in a broader argument over the debate to raise the age of adulthood in Australia from 18 to 21.
