Western Australians are being asked to contribute to the latest statutory review of Western Australia’s Tobacco Products Control Act 2006.
While rates of smoking are declining in WA, it remains the leading cause of preventable death and illness. Two out of three long-term Western Australian smokers are likely to die from smoking.
In 2018, around 11 per cent of Western Australian adults were current smokers – down from 22 per cent in 2002.
The consultation, which includes a discussion paper and online questionnaire, aims to assess the operation and effectiveness of all provisions in the Act.
This includes State laws that:
- prohibit the supply of tobacco products and smoking implements to young people;
- regulate the sale and promotion of tobacco products;
- prohibit the sale of products that resemble tobacco products; and
- reduce people’s exposure to tobacco smoke from others smoking tobacco products.
Stakeholders are invited to complete the online survey via the Department of Health’s Consultation Hub. Submissions will be open for six weeks, closing on November 6, 2020.
The Department of Health will analyse results and submit a report to the Minister for Health.
As stated by Health Minister Roger Cook:
“While this review is a legislative requirement, it’s important to ensure that WA tobacco laws remain contemporary, relevant and responsive to new and emerging issues in tobacco control.
“I encourage anyone who has an interest in the future of tobacco control legislation in WA to participate in this consultation.
“The ongoing review of our State tobacco legislation will play an important role in further reducing smoking among Western Australians.”
