Anthony Albanese faces a huge call to ban cigarettes from supermarkets in the latest move to clamp down on smoking.
Lung Foundation Australia CEO Mark Brooke is calling on the government to bring in new legislation as he branded supermarkets ‘irresponsible’ for selling cigarettes.
‘We need everyone from government to big corporations to put the lung health of Australians ahead of profits from a product that kills 66 Australians daily,’ he said.
‘Previous news reports have highlighted Coles estimates their cigarette sales each year is enough to kill more than 1,600 Australians and cause tobacco-related medical costs of more than $300 million a year.’
It follows a new licensing scheme which is set to take effect across New South Wales from July 1.
Aussies may soon no longer be able to buy cigarettes during their weekly grocery shops across the country as restrictions on smoking increase.
The new scheme requires all tobacco retailers and wholesalers to have a license to sell tobacco and non-tobacco smoking products in the state.
In NSW, only pharmacies are licensed to sell any type of vaping good, regardless of its nicotine content.
It’s illegal for any other retailers to sell vaping products.
Lung Foundation Australia has urged the federal government to follow suit and introduce legislation that would cover the entire country.
‘The federal government can support broader efforts by investigating the health and economic impacts of a generational phase out of tobacco products,’ Lung Foundation Australia said.
more to come
The government is facing calls to ban supermarkets from selling cigarettes
