Tobacco promotion banned in Queensland stores

By Dr. Ananya Mandal, MDJun 17 2011

Queensland stores are directed to refrain from openly displaying cigarettes and other tobacco products. Under laws introduced on Thursday, all retail advertising and promotion of tobacco and other smoking-related products will be banned.

Premier Anna Bligh said research has shown exposure to tobacco promotion at the point of sale, particularly for children, normalizes smoking and can make people more likely to take up the habit, or experiment. She says it can also interfere with smokers' attempts to quit, tempting them to impulse buy. She was speaking at the parliament when she added, “By banning the display we put a significant dent in that exposure. But we also send a very clear message to big tobacco, we are taking responsibility for the future health of Queenslanders. Our government is determined to prevent our next generation of Queenslanders (from being) among this toll of the dead and the ill from smoking.”

There are current laws that already restrict tobacco displays to a square metre for general retailers and three square metres for specialist tobacconists. Health minister Geoff Wilson told reporters the move was aimed at saving lives. “The research shows that advertising of cigarettes normalizes smoking for young children,” Mr Wilson also said. Removal of advertising material will also benefit those trying to quit by lowering the temptation to impulse buy, he said. “Too many young people are taking up smoking, and not enough people who are already smoking are getting the support and taking those life-changing decisions, oftentimes, that will help them give up smoking,” he added. Mr Wilson said the reform will cut the state's health bill and government anti-smoking campaigns will continue.

Smoking kills an estimated 3400 Queenslanders every year, with more than 30,400 people admitted to Queensland hospitals each year for smoking-related illnesses. The total cost of smoking to Queensland society, including loss of productivity and premature death, is $6.3 billion each year.

Jeff Dunn, CEO of the Cancer Council Queensland, welcomed the initiative. “It is the case that smoking displays influence young people's smoking behaviour Banning retail displays will cease to normalize smoking,” he said. Mr Dunn said about 17 per cent of Queenslanders smoke and more than nine per cent of nine to 14-year-olds in Queensland regularly smoke. “This is a product that we know will lead to the early death, the premature death of half of its users.” He challenged each MP to offer their individual support to the move when it's before parliament.

The Heart Foundation also backed these moves. CEO Cameron Prout said 13,000 outlets each had a square metre of advertising space. “It encourages kids to experiment with tobacco products. Very few people start smoking after they turn 18,” Mr Prout said.

The NSW government introduced similar laws last year requiring all retailers to hide cigarettes from sight.

National Retail Association executive director Gary Black said small businesses had a case for compensation, “These products have played a significant part in the profit of many thousands of small businesses across Australia.”