CIGARETTE SALES TO JUVENILES
Reverend the Hon. F. J. NILE: My question without notice is directed to the Minister for Community Services, Minister for Aged Services, and Minister for Disability Services, representing the Minister for Health. Has a recent research survey funded by the New South Wales Department of Health found that 80 per cent of the shops surveyed were caught selling cigarettes to 14-year-old and 16-year-old children? Were the majority of sales staff, who were under 20 years of age and who sold cigarettes to children, unaware of the current legal position? Do 70,000 children in Australia start smoking every year? What further action will the Government take to prevent shopkeepers from selling cigarettes to children? Will the Government conduct an education campaign aimed specifically at youthful staff to assist them in understanding current laws regarding the sale of cigarettes to children?
Page 1769
The Hon. R. D. DYER: I have a general awareness of the matter alluded to by Reverend the Hon. F. J. Nile in his question as I have read press reports of the survey to which he referred. Clearly, if the law is being flouted in the manner revealed by the survey, it is a serious matter. However, Reverend the Hon. F. J. Nile asked for the Government's response and what educational campaigns or other steps could be taken to inhibit or, one would hope, to bring to an end the abuse to which he referred. I shall be delighted to refer his question to my colleague the Minister for Health for a full and considered reply.