Smoking age in Australia would be raised to 21 under new plan

THE smoking age would be raised to 21 under a controversial plan before Australian governments, the Daily Telegraph can reveal.

• TWIGGY FORREST READY TO TAKE ON BIG TOBACCO
• TAXPAYERS SLUGGED FOR THOSE WHO SMOKE AT WORK

THE smoking age would be raised to 21 under a controversial plan before Australian governments.

The Daily Telegraph can reveal the idea was put to state and federal health ministers at August’s COAG meeting as part of philanthropist and iron ore magnate Andrew Forrest’s “assault” on the tobacco industry.

The Saturday Telegraph revealed on the weekend that his plans include a shock move to sue “big tobacco” for potentially billions of dollars on behalf of smoking victims.

And it can today be revealed he also wants to push to lift the minimum smoking age from 18 to 21.

E-CIGARETTES ARE SAFER THAN TOBACCO

Mining magnate Andrew "Twiggy" Forrest is about to take on big tobacco.

Mr Forrest — the sixth richest Australian, worth about $6.84 billion — has put aside $75 million as part his Minderoo Foundation’s “Eliminate Cancer Initiative” for his battle against big tobacco.

One in eight Australians smoke and two-thirds will die of tobacco-related illnesses.

“We need to stop fuelling big tobacco preying on our vulnerable youth. We know that once young people have hit 18, many will not have made up their minds to smoke or not,” Mr Forrest said.

“Nearly 90 per cent of adult smokers start as children. By the time they reach 21, they are hooked and become lifelong customers of big tobacco.”

Despite the health warnings, many young people continue to smoke. Picture: John Appleyard

NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard confirmed Mr Forrest’s plan to raise the smoking age to 21 was being considered.

“If I had my way, people wouldn’t be able to smoke until before they were about 100,” he said. “So I’ll look at all options, along with other state and territory leaders, as we move forward.”

Mr Hazzard said he also supported plans to litigate big tobacco. “As health minister I’ve got no time whatsoever for big tobacco companies,” he said. “They know well and truly the dangers of smoking and the costs to individuals and the community. If Mr Forrest is prepared to have a go ... well that sounds like a pretty good idea.”