Heart Foundation Applauds Landmark Tobacco Control Legislation – The Heart Foundation today hailed the passage of the Public Health (Tobacco and Other Products) Bill 2023 by the Australian Parliament as a momentous step in safeguarding the heart health of Australians and curbing tobacco addiction.
Smoking and vaping pose significant threats to heart health, with smoking quadrupling the risk of fatal heart attacks and strokes, and tripling the risk of sudden cardiac death. Research further indicates that e-cigarettes can lead to traditional smoking and increase the risk of cardiovascular disease, highlighting the critical nature of this legislation.
The Heart Foundation applauds Parliament’s decisive action and commends Health Minister Mark Butler and the Government for prioritizing the health and well-being of all Australians.
Key improvements to Australia’s tobacco control measures include:
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- Enhanced graphic health warnings on packaging: These warnings will serve as stark reminders of the dangers of tobacco use.
- Informative inserts in tobacco product packaging: These inserts will provide consumers with access to critical information about the health risks associated with tobacco use.
- Stricter advertising restrictions for e-cigarettes: This aligns with existing regulations for tobacco products, ensuring consistent messaging about the dangers of both.
- Restrictions on appealing brand names: This aims to prevent companies from downplaying the risks associated with tobacco products.
- Ban on menthol in tobacco products: This aligns with international efforts to eliminate menthol, which masks the harshness of tobacco and makes smoking more appealing.
- Enhanced reporting requirements for the tobacco industry: This promotes transparency and accountability within the industry.
The Heart Foundation applauds the multi-partisan efforts that led to this legislation’s passage. We congratulate the Australian Government for its commitment to protecting young Australians from the lifelong consequences of tobacco and nicotine addiction.
These new laws are vital in shielding a new generation of young Australians from the lifelong consequences of poor heart health. The Heart Foundation is proud to have played a role in this decades-long struggle against smoking and vaping, and views this legislation as a crucial step towards reducing the burden of disease and death caused by tobacco and nicotine products.
David Lloyd, CEO, Heart Foundation
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