New bans to help young people stop smoking

2 November 2011

Bans on the sale of fruity, sweet or confectionery-flavoured cigarette rolling papers, cigar wraps and cigarillos come into force in Victoria from 18 November 2011.

Health Minister David Davis said the intention was to remove from sale products designed to capture the attention of young people and children and to stop them from being initiated into the smoking habit.

"These products are being banned because they have a fruity, sweet or confectionery-like character and bright, colourful packaging, and are designed to attract young people to smoke," Mr Davis said.

The products to be banned include:

• cigarette rolling papers that possess a fruity, sweet or confectionery-like flavour or scent
• cigar and cigarillo wraps that possess a fruity, sweet or confectionery-like flavour or scent
• cigarillos that possess a fruity, sweet or confectionery-like flavour or scent.

Similar products have been banned in Tasmania and New South Wales.

The ban will affect a small number of certified specialist tobacconists or retail shops and a small number of suppliers. For these retail outlets, the products being banned represent only a small component of products sold.

The Department of Health is writing to all known suppliers of the banned products. The department will also write to all certified specialist tobacconists and other retailers advising of the ban order and the date it takes effect, with letters to be sent next week.

Further information

For more information about Victoria's anti-tobacco strategy see Tobacco Reforms.