30 October 2009
TOBACCO REFORMS PROTECT CHILDREN AND PUBLIC
The Heart Foundation welcomes the new tobacco law reforms passed in Parliament this
afternoon because they will protect children from smoking in cars and the public from exposure
to second-hand smoke in pedestrian malls and at public transport waiting points.
Mr. Cameron Prout, Chief Executive Officer of the Heart Foundation says, “Children need to
be protected from being involuntarily exposed to tobacco smoke in enclosed spaces such as
cars, because they are not able to speak up for themselves, and they are more vulnerable to
the dangers of smoking.”
“We hope that these new laws will assist parents and carers to understand just how dangerous
smoking in an enclosed place is,” explained Mr. Prout.
This new law, which is a reform to the Tobacco and Other Smoking Products Act 1998, brings
Queensland into line with the other States that have already banned smoking in cars carrying
children under 16, including South Australia, Tasmania and New South Wales, as well as
Western Australia (under 17 years) and Victoria (under 18 years). These laws are also
currently proposed in the ACT.
While welcoming the other tobacco law reform which gives power to local governments to ban
smoking in pedestrian malls and at public transport waiting points, the Heart Foundation is
very concerned that some local governments will not act by bringing in local laws.
“The Heart Foundation would like to see a State mandated law banning smoking in pedestrian
malls and at public transport stops”, Mr Prout said. “This would ensure that all Queenslanders
are under the one law, and all are protected from exposure to second-hand smoke where
people gather in close proximity.”
The risks of passive smoking are well known, including heart disease, asthma, sudden infant
death syndrome, bronchitis, pneumonia and ear infections.
“We’re urging local governments to act swiftly and bring in these new laws to protect people
from smoking,” said Mr Prout.
Another welcome reform in this law is the further restriction to the advertising, display and
promotion of cigarettes through an amendment to the definition of ‘smoking product’ to include
cigarette filters, tubes and rolling machines and cigar cutters.
“The tobacco industry will no longer be able to advertise, promote or display these products in
order to get around the law,” said Mr Prout.
The Heart Foundation is calling for further reform with a total ban on the display of tobacco
products at point-of-sale, because these are still being used as a powerful form of advertising.
All tobacco products should be out of sight so that children are not influenced to smoke and
ex-smokers are not undermined in their resolve to stay quit.
Available for interview:
Mr Cameron Prout, CEO, Heart Foundation
For more information please contact:
Jill Sims, Communication& Media Manager
Mobile 0421 911 116 or Desk (07) 3872 2541
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