“The cost to the Queensland community is estimated at $27 billion a year. This estimate includes tangible costs such as premature death, hospitalisations and other medical and social costs, and intangible costs such as value of life lost, pain and suffering,” says the government. Source: Freepik
Health Minister Yvette D’Ath has invited Queenslanders to have a say on a range of proposed smoking law reforms, in an effort to strengthen anti-smoking endeavours.
Big changes would be made as a part of the legislation overhaul. The state government wants to crack down on the illicit sale and supply of tobacco while a ban on drinking in designated outdoor smoking areas (DOSAs) would also be brought in.
That’s only the start of reforms with there to be an increase in smoke-free public places, stronger laws surrounding the supply of smoking products as well as more restrictive advertising and promotion regulations.
According to Queensland Health smoking accounted for 66,400 hospitalisations with 4,000 of those people dying between 2015-2016.
Ms D’Ath made comment in the press release that these changes will promote a range of health benefits but that input from the community is necessary.
“In the past 20 years, we’ve seen the rate of smoking halve in Queensland, but there is more work to be done.
“We want to hear from Queenslanders, including small businesses, and we’ll advance our package of reforms based on the feedback to our Regulatory Impact Statement for introduction into the Queensland Parliament.”
Police will also have greater powers when it comes to tackling illicit tobacco sale and supply.
E-cigarettes fall under the legislation reforms in an effort to combat young people from taking up the habit. The Queensland government found that 16 per cent of high schoolers had used a vape, while the smoking rate is at 6.9 per cent for this age group.
Smoking would be banned in school carparks while anyone aged under 18 would not be allowed into a DOSA at a licensed venue. A licensing scheme for tobacco sellers would be introduced with the government suggesting that any cigarette vending machines in pubs and clubs be placed behind the counter.
This announcement falls on World No Tobacco Day.
Submissions close 5pm on June 26.
