By Charlene Gatt
GELLIBRAND MP Nicola Roxon has called on the local community to get behind the world’s toughest laws against tobacco following the release of the Federal Government’s proposed design and legislation for plain packaging.
“Plain packaging is critical to the Government’s fight to reduce the toll on families from smoking related deaths,” she said.
“The chilling reality is that smoking kills 15,000 Australians a year and costs us $31.5 billion – we can’t afford to stand by and do nothing.
“This plain packaging legislation is a world first and sends a clear message that the glamour is gone – cigarette packs will now only show the death and disease that can come from smoking.
“Everyone in Gellibrand would know someone who has smoked and knows what a dangerous habit it is.
“This isn’t just about getting smokers to butt out – it’s making sure people don’t pick up the habit in the first place.”
