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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2004 Week 08 Hansard (Wednesday, 4 August 2004) . . Page.. 3450 ..

So, yes, I recognise that this bill is tackling only one aspect of the problem, and that problem is the fact that cigarettes can still be sold in the ACT without ID and without proof of age being put forward. The 200 cigarette vending machines in the territory make it easier for children to buy cigarettes as they do not require human supervision for the sale. A machine cannot ask for ID, and a machine cannot refuse sale. The removal of cigarette vending machines can help prevent the procurement of cigarettes for minors, as requiring the sale to be made by a human being can place an additional social barrier for those considering making a purchase without the anonymity of a vending machine.

This strategy is not novel and it is not radical. Similar provisions have been in place in Tasmania for a number of years. The policy has formed part of the national tobacco strategy for many years now and has been included as an option in the World Health Organisation’s framework convention on tobacco control.

There have been some issues raised. We have been told that tobacco vending machines need to be in a licensed area, and that there are restrictions on what happens in a licensed area and who can access licensed premises. But as we have seen in many of our clubs and in many of our licensed venues, you do not always get checked for ID at the door. Our clubs are very family-friendly places. They promote their services to families, so young people are quite often seen in clubs. The cigarette vending machine is not tucked behind a counter or hidden away. It is quite accessible for those who want to use it.

Since tabling this bill I have been contacted by a number of people who have pointed out the ease with which children can access cigarettes by way of vending machines because the vending machines, despite technically being located in a bar area, are often located in entrances or in general public areas, with little or no supervision. So it is very clear that the current restrictions on vending machines are not working as they should.

I want to make it clear that if people still choose to purchase cigarettes in a licensed venue, they can do so over the counter where they will be asked for ID. So a 16 or 15-year-old who is in a licensed premises and tries to buy cigarettes will be asked for ID and if they are under age they should not then be able to walk away with a packet of cigarettes.

We are looking at harm minimisation. We are looking at ensuring that our laws are working in the way that we intend them to. I recognise that this bill is not a cure-all for the prevention of smoking, or the prevention of smoking by young people. However, I believe it is an important step in the right direction. We need to continue our youth anti-tobacco initiatives and our quit smoking campaigns because we have a responsibility as legislators to do our best to support the community, especially children and young people, from highly addictive and harmful drugs.

I think it is important to repeat that access is a major issue in relation to young people smoking. Studies have shown that if young people cannot easily access cigarettes then they do not smoke them. If we can help to make it harder for them to access cigarettes then it is likely that more young people will just not start smoking. It will be too complicated, too hard and illegal for them to buy cigarettes, so they will find something else to do or they will just not think about it. Access is an important factor here, and that is what we are talking about.

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