October 2nd 2024.
Last week, South Australia took a major step towards creating a healthier future for its citizens by passing groundbreaking legislation in the upper house of state parliament. The aim of this new law is to establish a "smoke-free generation" by permanently banning the sale of cigarettes and vape products to anyone born after January 1, 2007. This means that those individuals will not be able to purchase tobacco or e-cigarettes for the rest of their lives.
Independent MP Frank Pangallo was the driving force behind this initiative, stating that he firmly believes it will lead to a generation that is free from the harmful effects of tobacco. He drew inspiration from similar efforts in other countries, such as the United Kingdom and New Zealand. While New Zealand's attempt was ultimately overturned, Pangallo remains confident in the positive impact this legislation will have.
Pangallo also acknowledged that this is a progressive move and expects to see a decrease in smoking rates as a result. The legislation also includes a provision to raise the legal age for purchasing cigarettes and vapes to 19 until the "smoke-free generation" provision goes into effect.
The penalties for violating these regulations are substantial. First-time offenders who sell tobacco products to minors could face a fine of up to $20,000, with repeat offenders risking a penalty of $40,000. This highlights the seriousness of the issue and the determination to create a healthier future for the next generation.
Andrew Schultz from the Cancer Council emphasized the urgency of this initiative, especially in light of the increasing use of vape products over the past decade. He stated that this is a critical time to take action and address the harmful effects of smoking and vaping on our society.
The bill will now move to the lower house for further examination by the government and opposition before a final decision is made. This is an important step towards creating a healthier and smoke-free future for all Australians. This article was created with the help of 9ExPress.
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