Tobacco plain packaging legislation

The Australian Medical Association (AMA) congratulated the Government on getting its tobacco plain packaging legislation through the House of Representatives.

AMA President, Dr Steve Hambleton, urges all MPs and Senators to get behind both the Tobacco Plain Packaging Bill 2011 and the Trade Marks Amendment (Tobacco Plain Packaging) Bill 2011.

“This legislation will put Australia ahead of the world in public health efforts to stop people smoking,” Dr Hambleton said.

“This legislation will save lives.

“Doctors see the devastating effects of smoking every day with people’s health deteriorating and families losing loved ones because of the killer smoking habit.

“We have to send a message to people who are still smoking that they must quit.

“We have to send a message to young people that they must never take up the habit.

“And we have to send a message to Big Tobacco that people’s lives are more important than their profits,” Dr Hambleton said.

(Source: Australian Medical Association (AMA): Tobacco Plain Packaging Bill 2011; Trade Marks Amendment (Tobacco Plain Packaging) Bill 2011)

More information

For more information on smoking, its health effects and how to quit smoking, as well as some useful tools, videos and animations, see Smoking.