Why was the Public Heath (Tobacco) Act 2008 introduced?
The NSW Government is committed to reducing smoking in our community. The NSW Government State Plan prioritises improving health through reduced obesity, smoking, illicit drug use and risk drinking (Priority S3). The target is to reduce smoking rates by 1 percent per annum to 2010 and then by half a percent per annum to 2016. To progress the State Plan target of reducing smoking rates and improving health, in April 2008 the NSW Government released Protecting Children from Tobacco: A NSW Government Discussion Paper on the Next Steps to Reduce Tobacco-Related Harm. The discussion paper introduced a range of possible reforms to further reduce the prevalence and uptake of smoking in young people in NSW. A comprehensive community consultation process supported the discussion paper. Almost 12,000 submissions were received from the community and key stakeholders. A public forum was held at Parliament House on 30 May 2008 and consultations were also held with young people. The discussion paper
