Strong public backing for limiting availability of tobacco products – 3 out of 4 Victorians support reform

30 September, 2014
A recent Cancer Council Victoria survey found strong public support for limiting the availability of tobacco products, Quit Victoria said today.
Quit Victoria Policy Manager, Kylie Lindorff, said the survey revealed significant and rising levels of public support for limiting the number of venues from which tobacco products can be purchased.
“Overall, nearly three in four adult Victorians (73%) said they would support a law to limit the number of tobacco product-selling venues1,” Ms Lindorff said.
“At present, tobacco is sold in more than 8,000 Victorian retail outlets, is more available than bread and milk, and can be sold by anyone, almost anywhere.
“This is not in the community’s interest, and that’s why effective action to reduce the widespread availability of tobacco products is needed sooner rather than later.”
Ms Lindorff said reducing tobacco availability is a key policy priority for Quit Victoria ahead of November’s state election.
“Quit calls on all parties to introduce a licensing scheme for tobacco retailers, including a publicly available register of licensees,” she said.
“A licensing system would facilitate better communication with retailers and provide funding for more effective enforcement of state legislation. It would also provide a framework for reducing tobacco product availability in the longer term.
“Our policy also calls for the prohibition of tobacco vending machines and ending the retail promotion of tobacco.”
Ms Lindorff said the public’s appetite for reform was not limited by age, gender or economic status.
“In particular, support for reducing the availability of tobacco products exceeded 70% across all income brackets2.”
For help to quit smoking, contact Quitline on 13 78 48 or go to www.quit.org.au
Contact: Karl Liebich, Quit Victoria Media Advisor 0409 296 339
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1 Public opinions regarding reducing cigarette accessibility: Findings from the 2013 Victorian Smoking and Health Survey, Cancer Council Victoria, June 2014, p.6
2 Public opinions regarding reducing cigarette accessibility: Findings from the 2013 Victorian Smoking and Health Survey, Cancer Council Victoria, June 2014, p.6