Greens: Action to stop cheap cigarette imports
The Australian Greens today said they would move amendments to set a floor price on cigarettes to stop Coles and any other retailers flooding the Australian markets with cheap and harmful products.
"Coles’ action in bringing in cheaper cigarettes is irresponsible," said Senator Siewert, Australian Green health spokesperson today.
"The cigarette tax was increased in an effort to reduce the terrible health toll that smoking has in Australia. Importing cheaper cigarettes into Australia undermines the impact of these public health measures"
"Several months ago Coles was chastised by the Senate for selling cheap alcohol in Alice Springs, undermining community efforts to address excessive alcohol consumption," Senator Siewert said.
"I have to question Coles’ commitment to responsible retailing."
"The Greens have long been advocates to a minimum drink price for alcohol and the same approach should be applied to cigarettes" concluded Senator Siewert.
Media contact: Peter Stahel
www.greensmps.org.au
Published by tony serve
journalist broadcaster and educator, social justice advocate and family man
Tony is a journalist, broadcaster and educator based in Perth, Western Australia.
Tony's professional background includes senior positions in radio and TV newsrooms and current affairs in Australia, Asia and the Middle East, several tours as Middle East and South East Asia correspondent, and decades of community advocacy at home.
Business, community and political leaders at state and federal levels have been ongoing clients for media consulting, with a special range of courses for newsmakers involving "devil's advocate" interviews to practice key performance and crisis management for radio and TV.
Tony has been Senior Ambassador for WA Children’s Week for the last two years, judge of the State Youth Media Awards for six years and is committed to making a difference in his local and global communities.
While lecturing in media at Murdoch University, Tony was rated in the top 10 per cent of teaching staff ( 2002/03 )
Currently Sessional Lecturer in Radio for Notre Dame Univeristy.
Professional clients include police and emergency services in WA, major Australian corporates such as Godfrey Pembroke, and dozens of NGOs as well as groups in child protection and social justice advocacy.
Other in-demand services are Master of Ceremonies and compering, keynote speeches on media, mental health and social justice issues, plus voice-overs and digital video productions for broadcast and web.
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