New Australian legislation on the way to ban flavoured cigarettes and regulate use of solariums

As a result of an agreement between state and federal health ministers, the sale of flavoured cigarettes will be banned in Australia.

Nicola Roxon the Federal Health Minister met her state counterparts in Melbourne at the Australian Health Minister Conference last week in order to thrash out a range of health issues.

Ms Roxon says the cigarette ban will target tobacco products flavoured either with chocolate or fruit flavours with the intention of enticing children and young people to smoke.

A ban on their importation is being considered and although the sale of the flavoured cigarettes is already banned in some states including NSW and South Australia, lemon, orange, strawberry and apple flavoured cigarettes are currently available alongside regular flavoured cigarettes in several states and territories.

The ministers have also agreed to draw up national regulations and guidelines for the use of solariums in order to help ensure young people do not risk getting skin cancer.

They plan to utilise steps already taken in Victoria to regulate the solarium industry and Ms Roxon says have adopted some national principles that will be put in place.

A $15 million funding boost will also give health workers greater access to specialised mental health training and go towards training 24,000 health workers to enhance their skills when they are dealing in particular with patients with complex mental health problems.