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Tobacco vendor licences needed to reduce availability
01 November 2010.
AMA Victoria President Dr Harry Hemley today called on the major parties to commit to implementing a tobacco vendor licence fee before the 27 November election to ensure Victoria did not lag behind other states in tobacco control measures.
"Smoking is still the largest preventable cause of death and disease in Victoria," said Dr Hemley. "The Victorian Government has traditionally been a leader in tobacco control but we’re beginning to lag behind other states. The Tobacco Control Strategy included some important initiatives, but for a five year plan, didn’t go far enough."
AMA Victoria recommends the next Victorian Government mandate licences for all tobacco vendors. Licence fees would begin at $2,000 per annum and rise by $500 a year.
"Introducing licensing fees would make tobacco vendors think twice about whether they want to sell cigarettes," Dr Hemley said. "For instance, if a restaurant sells only a couple of packets of cigarettes a week, it would think twice about forking out a couple of thousand dollars on a licensing fee.
"The reduced availability would make it far more difficult for smokers to buy tobacco, particularly after-hours. This could provide the nudge some smokers need to cut back or quit."
Dr Hemley explained any business could currently sell tobacco and this made enforcement of regulations difficult. "There’s no requirement for a licence so it’s difficult for enforcement officers to know where to target their efforts. Current tobacco enforcement measures are patchy, with some councils doing better than others.
"A reduction in tobacco outlets would also make it more difficult for children to buy cigarettes, with a smaller pool of tobacco vendors to monitor for compliance."
Funds generated through tobacco licences should be channelled back into tobacco prevention initiatives and better enforcement of existing regulations , Dr Hemley said.
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