Heart Foundation welcomes Victorian tobacco reforms
Media release: Wednesday 27 November 2024
Reforms enforcing stronger controls around the sale of tobacco in Victoria
The Heart Foundation has welcomed the passing of reforms in the Victorian Parliament designed to clamp down on the sale of illegal tobacco.
Heart Foundation Victorian General Manager Chris Enright commended the Government for its efforts to decrease tobacco usage by passing the Tobacco Amendment (Tobacco Retailer and Wholesaler Licensing Scheme) Bill 2024 during today’s parliamentary sitting.
“The Heart Foundation supports the Victorian Government’s commitment to enforcing stronger controls around the sale of tobacco in Victoria,” Ms Enright said.
“This is an action that public health experts and chronic disease organisations have been advocating for. Similar legislation is already in place in other states and territories and has been shown to have a positive impact on reducing tobacco smoking and the availability of tobacco to children.
Smoking presents major heart health risks to people living in Australia: smoking makes people four times more likely to die of a heart attack or stroke, and three times more likely to die from sudden cardiac death.
Chris Enright
Victorian General Manager
Ms Enright said that the announcement would help drive down cardiovascular disease and other smoking-related illnesses in Victoria.
The legislation introduces a licensing system for tobacco retailers and wholesalers in Victoria.
The bill will ensure that:
- Only licensed retailers are permitted to sell tobacco.
- Licenses are granted exclusively to individuals deemed "fit and proper" and who pass a rigorous test.
- Retailers can be denied a license based on their history and known associates, including those with criminal affiliations.
- Enhanced search powers facilitate quicker and easier raids, searches, and seizures of illicit products from retailers suspected of organized crime links.
- Individuals caught selling illicit tobacco face fines exceeding $355,000 or up to 15 years in prison.
- Businesses found selling illicit tobacco could be fined over $1.7 million.
The Heart Foundation continues to advocate strongly for investment in effective campaigns across both national and state levels that will educate all Australians about the dangers of tobacco smoke.
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Last updated27 November 2024