Cancer Council NSW congratulates the NSW Government on the start of the new tobacco licensing scheme in NSW. This scheme will ensure greater oversite of tobacco retailers and help tackle illegal tobacco trade in retail settings.
Anita Dessaix, Director of Cancer Prevention and Advocacy at Cancer Council NSW says, "NSW has a good track record of acting to reduce smoking and prevent the uptake of smoking among young people with adult daily or occasional smoking rates sitting at just 11%. This has been achieved through strong policy measures such as expanding smoke-free areas, well-funded public education campaigns and tobacco retail display bans."
Cancer Council NSW supports the introduction of a licensing scheme as a strategy to encourage tobacco sales compliance, enhance enforcement and deter illegal operators. Under these changes, retailers and wholesalers of tobacco and non-tobacco smoking products will be required to hold a tobacco license and pay an annual fee. A license can be refused or revoked if the applicant has been convicted of a tobacco or vaping product related offence.
It is anticipated the scheme will be supported by comprehensive enforcement to identify and penalise those retailers and wholesalers doing the wrong thing.
"The sale of illegal tobacco undermines decades of public health progress. Two in three people who smoke will die from their addiction to tobacco products, which is why we must do everything in our power to drive down smoking rates and support people who smoke to quit, including stopping the illegal tobacco market from harming our communities.
"The introduction of this licensing scheme brings NSW into line with nearly every other jurisdiction in Australia will ensure retailers are playing by the rules and that public health remains the priority. The scheme, supported by increased penalties, is expected to significantly strengthen tobacco retailer compliance, monitoring and enforcement efforts," concludes Ms. Dessaix.
Tobacco is still the leading preventable cause of death and disability in NSW, and the social costs of smoking have been estimated at about $8.4billion. In NSW around 6,700 deaths and more than 62,900 hospitalisations were attributed to smoking.
