Tobacco laws to pass Senate tonight
10 Nov, 2011 04:00 AM
The Federal Government says there are 15,000 good reasons why Parliament will pass the world's first tobacco plain-packaging laws today.That's the number of Australians who die each year from smoking-related diseases.
Labor's legislation will require all cigarettes to be sold in drab olive-brown packets from December next year.
The packs will be dominated by graphic health warnings with the brand name and variant printed in a standard size and font.
The draft laws will be rammed through the Senate this evening under a guillotine which limits debate.
The Coalition supports the main plain packaging legislation but not an associated trademarks Bill.
However, both Bills will pass the Senate with the support of the Greens. The legislation passed the House of Representatives in late August.
Labor stalwart John Faulkner said a key objective of plain packaging was to stop children being attracted to cigarettes in the first place.
''If this legislation stops one young Australian from picking up a shiny, coloured packet and prevents them becoming addicted to cigarettes, then in my view it will have been worthwhile,'' Senator Faulkner told the upper house yesterday.
Greens health spokesman Richard Di Natale told the Senate he'd sat with many people dying of lung cancer during his former career as a doctor.
''I've been with them as they lose weight, as they struggle for breath, as they lie in excruciating pain,'' he said during debate.
''It's a death you would not wish on your worst enemy.''
Big Tobacco has vowed to challenge plain packaging in the courts once the legislation passes Parliament.
Tomado de:
http://www.canberratimes.com.au/news/national/national/general/tobacco-laws-to-pass-senate-tonight/2353275.aspx
Labor's legislation will require all cigarettes to be sold in drab olive-brown packets from December next year.
The packs will be dominated by graphic health warnings with the brand name and variant printed in a standard size and font.
The draft laws will be rammed through the Senate this evening under a guillotine which limits debate.
The Coalition supports the main plain packaging legislation but not an associated trademarks Bill.
However, both Bills will pass the Senate with the support of the Greens. The legislation passed the House of Representatives in late August.
Labor stalwart John Faulkner said a key objective of plain packaging was to stop children being attracted to cigarettes in the first place.
''If this legislation stops one young Australian from picking up a shiny, coloured packet and prevents them becoming addicted to cigarettes, then in my view it will have been worthwhile,'' Senator Faulkner told the upper house yesterday.
Greens health spokesman Richard Di Natale told the Senate he'd sat with many people dying of lung cancer during his former career as a doctor.
''I've been with them as they lose weight, as they struggle for breath, as they lie in excruciating pain,'' he said during debate.
''It's a death you would not wish on your worst enemy.''
Big Tobacco has vowed to challenge plain packaging in the courts once the legislation passes Parliament.
Tomado de:
http://www.canberratimes.com.au/news/national/national/general/tobacco-laws-to-pass-senate-tonight/2353275.aspx
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