Cigarettes and cereal just don’t mix
The Weekend Australian, Sept 24th.
· Historian and regular columnist, Dr Ross Fitzgerald has written in this weekend’s Australian, that cigarettes and alcohol should be taken out of supermarkets and convenience stores and put into adults only, age- restricted premises.
· He argues that by taking on cigarette companies via their copyright, the Health Minister is not serious about trying to reduce smoking rates. Why doesn’t she address the point of sale issue?
· Fitzgerald says that the exchange of money for product that children see with tobacco and alcohol, is an important link to break.
· He says that social research has proved that the best way to limit a product’s appeal and usage is not to completely ban it but to severely limit its physical outlets.
· There are 10,000 age-restricted outlets in the country which is more than enough to service the country’s drinkers and smokers.
What do Australia’s major public health agencies think about this approach?
What arguments could be advanced against his proposal and who would advance them?
The AMA, the Cancer Council, the Public Health Association, QUIT and other agencies should be commenting on the proposal.
The Australian Sex Party supports Fitzgerald’s proposals around tobacco sales and some aspects of those around alcohol.
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