Western Australia is making it illegal for anyone under the age of 18 to sell cigarettes in retail outlets.
The Bill, recently passed in state Parliament, gives WA some of the toughest tobacco laws in the country.
Other changes in the legislation include:
- banning the sale of fruit and confectionery-flavoured, and split pack cigarettes- bringing WA in line with the rest of Australia;
- 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 signage for tobacco products; and
- further restricting the public display of tobacco products or smoking implements (except cigars and cigar cutters) inside specialist tobacco retailers and appointment of authorised officers under the ACT.
Most of the new laws will take effect after six months to allow sufficient time for the tobacco sellers to understand and adjust to the new arrangements.
The restrictions on those under 18 selling tobacco products will commence after two years, to provide smaller retailers with additional time to adjust to change.
“These new laws will complement strong public education campaigns and support for smokers to quit and live longer and healthier lives,” Health Minister for WA Roger Cook said.
