Page 1089 - Week 04 - Tuesday, 5 April 2016
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a clear and simple message about the proper and humane care and management of animals in our community, and it reflects the community’s strong expectation that people who keep or care for animals will ensure they are properly treated. I commend the bill to the Assembly.
Question resolved in the affirmative.
Bill agreed to in principle.
Leave granted to dispense with the detail stage.
Bill agreed to.
Smoke-Free Legislation Amendment Bill 2016
Debate resumed from 10 March 2016, on motion by Ms Fitzharris:
That this bill be agreed to in principle.
MR HANSON (Molonglo—Leader of the Opposition) (12.23): The Canberra Liberals will be supporting this bill. The bill addresses some of the issues that have come to light with a relatively new product—that is, vaporisers, commonly referred to as electronic cigarettes or e-cigarettes. On the one hand we do not want to restrict adults from buying products they are legally entitled to buy, especially if that product could assist as an alternative to other tobacco products. On the other hand we need reasonable and responsible restrictions that do not create new potential problems.
At this stage I think this bill strikes the right balance. It makes restrictions on personal vaporiser promotion and sales in the ACT in line with existing restrictions on tobacco and herbal products. It also prohibits the use of personal vaporisers in a legislated smoke-free area, including all enclosed public places, cars when children are present, outdoor drinking and eating places and underage music functions.
It matches, in principle at least, recommendations from the Cancer Council of Australia and the Heart Foundation Australia. They support ensuring laws in each state and territory cover e-cigarette usage and recommend both nicotine and non-nicotine electronic cigarettes are not used in places where smoking tobacco is prohibited. The bill addresses these concerns.
Research on e-cigarettes, their safety and their use as an aid in supporting quitting smoking is continuing to evolve. I acknowledge there are differing views in this area. We will monitor those developments and, if necessary, update the legislation in the future. But, at this stage, I think what the government has put forward is a reasonable response, and we support this legislation.
Debate interrupted in accordance with standing order 74 and the resumption of the debate made an order of the day for a later hour.
Sitting suspended from 12.25 to 2.30 pm.
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