Today in State Parliament, the McGowan Government will introduce a suite of legislative changes that will strengthen Western Australia’s tough stance on tobacco control.
The reforms will build on the State’s existing tobacco legislation, which is ranked among the toughest in the country, and tighten restrictions on the sale of tobacco, especially with regards to protecting children.
Under the proposed legislation, WA will become the first State in Australia to make it illegal for employees under the age of 18 to sell tobacco products in retail outlets.
Tobacco retailers will be given two years to adjust to the change.
Other changes included in the approved legislation, most of which would have a six-month lead-in period, include:
- Banning the sale of fruit and confectionery-flavoured, and split-pack cigarettes;
- Stopping tobacco sales at events such as music festivals or other public events;
- Preventing the inclusion of tobacco purchases in shopping reward schemes;
- Requiring graphic health warnings to be displayed beside price signage for tobacco products; and
- Streamlining the administrative functions related to the licensing of tobacco retailers and appointment of authorised officers under the Act.
A ban on specialist tobacco retailers from displaying tobacco products would also be phased in over two years.
The Department of Health will conduct an education campaign for tobacco sellers to ensure full understanding of obligations under the new laws before they come into effect.