Recent history of smoking in Australia

Source: abc.net & tobaccocontrol.health.wa.gov.au

The history of smoking restrictions and popularity in Australia since the 1970s*:

 1973 - Direct cigarette advertising on radio and television begins to be phased out over three years.
 1976 - 43 per cent of Australian men smoke, as do 33 per cent of women.
 1983 - Federal excise and customs duty on cigarettes linked to the Australian consumer price index.
 1986 - 34 per cent of Australian men smoke, as do 28 per cent of women.
 1990 - Cigarette advertising banned in locally produced newspapers and magazines.
 1992 - 29 per cent of Australian men smoke, as do 24 per cent of women.
 1995 - Most forms of tobacco sponsorship phased out, however exemptions granted to international events that couldn't exist
without it.
 1996 - Billboards, outdoor and illuminated signs advertising cigarettes banned.
 1998 - 27 per cent of Australian men smoke, as do 25 per cent of women.
 2000 - Laws passed removing sponsorship exemptions.
 2004 - 24 per cent of Australian men smoke, as do 21 per cent of women.
 2006 - Tobacco industry sponsorship completely phased out. New, graphic anti-smoking ads go to air.
 2007 - Indoor smoking bans begin to be introduced. 21 per cent of Australian men smoke, as do 18 per cent of women.
 2008 - States start banning smoking in cars carrying children.
 2009 - Local councils move to make alfresco areas smoke-free.
 2010 - Smoking inside pubs and clubs banned in every Australian state. Tobacco excise increased by 25 per cent.

*Sourced from Quit Victoria and Tobacco in Australia: Facts and Issues, compiled by Cancer Council Victoria.

- AAP
Tobacco Control Legislation in WA
Tobacco Products Control Amendment Act 2009

The Tobacco Products Control Amendment Act 2009 (PDF 39KB) (the Amendment Act) was assented to on 22 September 2009, with
all new restrictions commencing on 22 September 2010.

The amendments introduce the following tighter restrictions on tobacco use, with the aim of protecting children and adults from the
harmful consequences of passive smoking and the promotion of tobacco products:

 Ban on tobacco product displays in retail premises, but allows the continuation of the existing conditional exemption for
“specialist” (80%) tobacco retailers
 Ban on smoking in all outdoor eating areas (areas provided on a commercial basis where people eat or drink sitting at tables)
for example restaurants, cafes and similar areas of licensed premises, with up to 50% of outdoor areas of licensed premises
able to access an exemption, provided the area is not already an “enclosed public place” or is the subject of a restaurant
licence. Staff are not to be forced to provide service in such exempt areas and cannot be dismissed for refusing to do so
 Ban on smoking in cars with children under 17 years present
 Ban on smoking within 10 metres of children’s playground equipment
 Ban on smoking between the flags of patrolled beaches

New Regulations to support the Amendment Act

The Department of Health (DOH) has reviewed the current Tobacco Products Control Regulations 2006 (the Regulations) and has
identified a number of issues arising from the implementation of the Amendment Act in September 2010. To facilitate consultation
with key industry stakeholders, the DOH has developed two Position Papers, highlighting the issues that have been identified as
requiring feedback to assist in the updating of the Regulations. Position Paper A deals with matters relating to tobacco displays and
Position Paper B deals with matters about smoking restrictions.
Please note that consultation is limited to key industry stakeholders that are directly affected by the Amendment Act. The DOH
Position Papers were distributed to key stakeholders on 7 May 2010, and stakeholders will be required to provide comments and
responses by Monday, 31 May 2010.

The Tobacco Products Control Act 2006

Objectives of the Legislation

A range of strategies makes up a comprehensive tobacco control program of which one component is legislation. The role that the new
Western Australian Tobacco Products Control Act 2006 [PDF] (the Act) takes is described in the Purposes of the Act (Section 3):

(a) to reduce the incidence of illness and death related to the use of tobacco products:

1. by prohibiting the supply of tobacco products and smoking implements to young persons;
2. by discouraging the use of tobacco products;
3. by restricting the promotion of tobacco products and smoking generally;
4. by reducing the exposure of people to tobacco smoke from tobacco products that are smoked by other people; and

(b) to promote good health and activities which encourage healthy lifestyles.

What Provisions are in the Act?

The Act contains provisions about:

 The sale and supply of tobacco products (including vending machines)

 Tobacco advertising and promotion
 Licensing sellers of tobacco products
 The Western Australian Health Promotion Foundation (Healthway)
 Investigations
 Enforcement
  Smoking in enclosed public places

Penalties

The penalties for offences under the Act are:

Maximum Fine An Individual A Body Corporate

1st offence: $10,000 $40,000
2nd or subsequent offence: $20,000 $80,000

The Penalty for all offences under the regulations is a maximum fine of $2,000.