State proposes tough new smoking laws amid vaping inquiry

Proposed changes to one state’s smoking laws could leave some large events and venues cigarette-free.

Queenslanders could be hit with hundreds of thousands of dollars in fines for selling smoking products without a licence under tough proposed laws.

Smoke-free areas would be expanded at venues, while smoking would be banned near organised children’s outdoor activities under the bill, which was tabled by Health Minister Yvette D’Ath on Tuesday.

Selling smoking products without a licence would result in a maximum penalty of up to $143,750 under the laws.

Those supplying illicit tobacco products could also be fined up to $43,125, while people caught storing products at a retail premises could receive a sanction of up to $20,125.

The new laws would also ban the sale of illicit smoking products and businesses supplying and advertising smoking products.

Queensland Health Minister Yvette D’Ath said the proposed laws are aimed to protect community health. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Dan Peled

The proposed laws will also include the introduction of a licensing scheme and tougher restrictions on cigarette sales in licensed venues.

Ms D’Ath said the proposed laws are designed to protect children and examine smoking’s impact on community health.

“This growing trade in illicit tobacco is causing significant detriment to compliant businesses on public health,” she said.

“The bill does not take away a person’s choice to smoke.

“However, it does introduce restrictions to balance this fight, with the public health imperative to protect the community at places where families gather.”

It comes as the state will carry out an in-depth inquiry into the use and harm of vapes and e-cigarettes, particularly among young people.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk successfully moved a motion for a parliamentary committee to conduct the insight in the state’s parliament on Tuesday.

Ms Palaszczuk said while the number of smokers in Queensland had decreased by almost half in the past 20 years, there is currently a sharp increase in vaping.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk successfully moved a motion for a parliamentary committee on Tuesday. Picture: NewsWire / Sarah Marshall

“According to the Australian National University, people who try vaping are three times more likely to take up smoking,” she said.

Ms Palaszczuk said the long-term effects of vaping were still widely unknown.

“Does anyone have a fact-based understanding of what they are inhaling?” she asked.

“Do these devices contain nicotine or worse – do they contain dangerous or toxic chemicals? “What are the possible health risks and what are the long-term consequences – that information is vital to ensuring we are able to better educate Queenslanders.”

The committee will also explore the environmental impacts of vaping and how vaping laws are being handled elsewhere in the world.

“I want all Queenslanders to understand what they are inhaling and the health risks associated with this relatively new but alarming trend,” Ms Palaszczuk said.

“I’m concerned that teachers are reporting to us that primary school children – I’ll say that again, primary school children – are taking up vaping in their recess breaks.”

On Monday, the Premier said she had heard reports that one vape could contain the equivalent of 50 cigarettes.

“We want the facts on the table,” Ms Palaszczuk told Today.

“I want the health professionals to come forward and the companies to disclose what is actually in their products.”

Ms Palaszczuk said the government planned to make changes to the way vapes were sold to make it easier for police to enforce the law.

“I think parents need to sit down and have an honest conversation with their children about this, and I hope this parliamentary inquiry will allow them to be able to have those discussions when the truth comes out,” she said.

Originally published as State proposes tough new smoking laws amid vaping inquiry