Plain packs will stop kids smoking

Young Australians will be less likely to die prematurely from cancer or cardiovascular disease if a newly released draft bill to mandate plain packaging of tobacco products is supported by federal Parliament, Cancer Council Australia and the National Heart Foundation said today. CEO of Cancer Council Australia, Professor Ian Olver, said a glossy branded pack remained the last above-the-line form of advertising to attract and addict new, younger smokers. "Our research shows that the look of the pack is an important consideration for young people at risk of being drawn to smoking, so this move by the Australian Government has the potential to be one of the most significant public health measures in recent history," Professor Olver said.

Contacts

Media contacts:
Paul Grogan
Cancer Council
Mobile: 0409 456 727
Email: paul.grogan@cancer.org.au

Kirsten Andrews
Heart Foundation
Mobile: 0413 777 404
Email: Kirsten.Andrews@heartfoundation.org.au

Links

• View media release: Plain packs will stop kids smoking
• View media release: Tobacco plain packaging design released