Fed: Govt considering changes to tobacco laws
By Sandra O'Malley
CANBERRA, Aug 31 AAP - The federal government is considering banning cigarette advertisingon new media like the internet.
The proposal is part of a review of the 1992 legislation outlawing tobacco advertising,in light of new types of advertising and sponsorship.
The review comes on the 10th anniversary of the legislation and will look at its continuingeffectiveness in light of new and emerging advertising and sponsorship practices.
A nine-member advisory panel made up of legal, health, media and tobacco control expertswill conduct the review.
Health parliamentary secretary Trish Worth said tobacco use was one of the biggesthealth issues faced by the community.
Tobacco was involved in the deaths of about 19,000 Australians each year, which costthe nation an estimated $21 billion.
"Advertising bans are internationally recognised as one of the most powerful toolsagainst this killer," Ms Worth said.
"Australia has been a world leader in using this tool, being one of the first countriesin the world to introduce comprehensive restrictions on tobacco advertising."
Ms Worth said the 1992 legislation had served Australia well, but needed to be re-examinedin light of advances in media and technology.
"New forms of media, such as the internet, have resulted in an environment very differentto that of 1993, when the act came into effect," she said.
"It is important that the act remains a robust health protection measure that is equippedto respond to new advertising and marketing techniques."
Opposition health spokeswoman Julia Gillard said Labor would back any moves to discouragepeople taking up smoking.
"I think we all know that cigarettes are killers, and anything we can do to limit theuptake of cigarette smoking would have Labor support," she said.
People are invited to comment on the issues paper by October 17.
AAP so/ak/de
KEYWORD: SMOKING NIGHTLEAD
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