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AMA Victoria welcomes bong ban
2 September 2011
“The Baillieu Government’s ban on bongs will help to reduce rates of cannabis use in Victoria,” said AMA Victoria President Dr Harry Hemley.
“The sole purpose of bongs is to smoke cannabis – a substance that is illegal and can cause serious mental and physical illness,” said Dr Hemley. “Research shows that cannabis use is linked to the development of mental illness. Smoking cannabis can also lead to the development of respiratory illnesses.”
“This ban will prevent children and adolescents from obtaining bongs. It also ensures that educational campaigns about the dangers of cannabis use aren’t contradicted by the ready availability of bongs.
“The presence of bongs in shop windows along many of Melbourne’s busiest streets sends the wrong message to Victorians about the acceptability of smoking cannabis.”
Recent data from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare shows that the proportion of people in Australia who had used cannabis in the previous 12 months increased from 9.1 percent in 2007 to 10.3 percent in 2010.
“The Baillieu Government’s new ban on bongs and recent ban on Kronic (a synthetic cannabinoid) will help to reduce the impact of illicit drugs in Victoria,” said Dr Hemley.
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