Published Monday, 05 February, 2007 at 01:46 PM
JOINT STATEMENT
Minister for Health
The Honourable Stephen Robertson
Premier and Minister for Trade
The Honourable Peter Beattie
‘ICE’ USE TARGETED BY BEATTIE GOVERNMENT
Shops that sell ‘ice’ pipes will face penalties of up to $10,500 under legislation to be introduced in State Parliament this week, Premier Peter Beattie and Health Minister Stephen Robertson said today.
Mr Beattie said Cabinet approved amendments to the Tobacco and Other Smoking Products Act 1998 which will also close a loophole that had allowed retailers to sell separate parts of cannabis utensils such as bongs.
“The ban on ‘ice’ pipes is part of my Government’s Ice-Breaker Strategy and the Ice Taskforce announced late last year,” Mr Beattie said.
“We are doing everything in our power to remove this killer drug off our streets through a number of measures including new legislation.
“Ice or ‘crystal meth’ is fast becoming the drug of choice among a growing number of people from different backgrounds. It is highly addictive, extremely dangerous and potentially deadly.
“A 2004 household survey estimated more than 95,000 Queenslanders had used methamphetamines such as ice in the previous 12 months alone.
“More than 278,000 Queenslanders had at least tried it.
“In a report last week, the Australian National Council on Drugs estimated around 500,000 Australians, had used methamphetamines in the past year.
“The drug causes serious short and long term physical and mental harm.
“The most frightening prospect we are facing is that the more people try it, the more people get hooked on it and those addicted find their lives quickly spiralling out of control.
“It can be used in different ways but smoking ice is becoming more common in Australia which is why this ice pipe ban is necessary.”
Mr Robertson said he was concerned more than 500 Queensland outlets such as tobacconists and novelty shops sold utensils solely used to smoke ice such as glass pipes.
“The display and sale of these pipes only feeds a perception that smoking methamphetamines is an acceptable and regular activity,” he said.
“This ban will go a long way in changing this view and diminish the ‘normalisation’ of ice use in our community.
“Under the legislation, retailers who sell, supply or display an ice pipe will be liable for a $300 on-the-spot fine or a maximum court fine of $10,500.
“Queensland Health will distribute information to retailers across the State prior to the commencement of the new laws, informing them that ice pipes should be immediately removed from display and sale.”
Mr Robertson said the laws would bring Queensland into line with other states but was only part of the Beattie Government’s wide-ranging response to methamphetamines.
“The Ice-Breaker Strategy will also include a statewide education campaign to target young people about the dangers of the drug, aiming to prevent use and mitigate addiction,” he said.
“The first phase will target universities during orientiation week this month and other tertiary education institutions.
“Other measures will involve assessing both public and non-government drug treatment facilities and other interventions available across Queensland, and determining special requirements to manage or break the amphetamine habit.
“We are continuing to work with pharmacies to restrict the sale of pseudoephedrine medicines only to people in genuine need of them and with general practitioners to ensure appropriate prescribing of these medicines.”
Mr Robertson said the amendment would also strengthen the State Government’s ban on cannabis utensils such as bongs.
“Unfortunately a minority of retailers have been flouting the existing ban on bongs by selling component parts separately,” he said.
“We are closing that loophole by re-wording the legislation.”
5 February, 2007
Media contacts: Premier’s Office 3224 4500
Joshua Cooney 3234 1185
Mr Beattie said Cabinet approved amendments to the Tobacco and Other Smoking Products Act 1998 which will also close a loophole that had allowed retailers to sell separate parts of cannabis utensils such as bongs.
“The ban on ‘ice’ pipes is part of my Government’s Ice-Breaker Strategy and the Ice Taskforce announced late last year,” Mr Beattie said.
“We are doing everything in our power to remove this killer drug off our streets through a number of measures including new legislation.
“Ice or ‘crystal meth’ is fast becoming the drug of choice among a growing number of people from different backgrounds. It is highly addictive, extremely dangerous and potentially deadly.
“A 2004 household survey estimated more than 95,000 Queenslanders had used methamphetamines such as ice in the previous 12 months alone.
“More than 278,000 Queenslanders had at least tried it.
“In a report last week, the Australian National Council on Drugs estimated around 500,000 Australians, had used methamphetamines in the past year.
“The drug causes serious short and long term physical and mental harm.
“The most frightening prospect we are facing is that the more people try it, the more people get hooked on it and those addicted find their lives quickly spiralling out of control.
“It can be used in different ways but smoking ice is becoming more common in Australia which is why this ice pipe ban is necessary.”
Mr Robertson said he was concerned more than 500 Queensland outlets such as tobacconists and novelty shops sold utensils solely used to smoke ice such as glass pipes.
“The display and sale of these pipes only feeds a perception that smoking methamphetamines is an acceptable and regular activity,” he said.
“This ban will go a long way in changing this view and diminish the ‘normalisation’ of ice use in our community.
“Under the legislation, retailers who sell, supply or display an ice pipe will be liable for a $300 on-the-spot fine or a maximum court fine of $10,500.
“Queensland Health will distribute information to retailers across the State prior to the commencement of the new laws, informing them that ice pipes should be immediately removed from display and sale.”
Mr Robertson said the laws would bring Queensland into line with other states but was only part of the Beattie Government’s wide-ranging response to methamphetamines.
“The Ice-Breaker Strategy will also include a statewide education campaign to target young people about the dangers of the drug, aiming to prevent use and mitigate addiction,” he said.
“The first phase will target universities during orientiation week this month and other tertiary education institutions.
“Other measures will involve assessing both public and non-government drug treatment facilities and other interventions available across Queensland, and determining special requirements to manage or break the amphetamine habit.
“We are continuing to work with pharmacies to restrict the sale of pseudoephedrine medicines only to people in genuine need of them and with general practitioners to ensure appropriate prescribing of these medicines.”
Mr Robertson said the amendment would also strengthen the State Government’s ban on cannabis utensils such as bongs.
“Unfortunately a minority of retailers have been flouting the existing ban on bongs by selling component parts separately,” he said.
“We are closing that loophole by re-wording the legislation.”
5 February, 2007
Media contacts: Premier’s Office 3224 4500
Joshua Cooney 3234 1185