Under-16 car smoking ban laws introduced

Tough new laws banning smoking in cars carrying children were introduced in State Parliament today.

Health Minister Stephen Robertson said the under-16 car smoking ban was one of a raft of measures contained in the Health and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2008.

The legislation also introduces mandatory misconduct reporting for medical practitioners.

“These laws will also give councils the power to regulate smoking in malls and at public transport waiting areas, including bus stops,” he said.

“They’re about protecting young children and babies from the harmful affects of environmental cigarette smoke.

“There is strong community support for reducing exposure to environmental tobacco smoke in situations of involuntary crowding.

“The Bligh Government will always put the health of Queensland kids first, and that’s exactly what these new laws do.”

Mr Robertson said the death toll from smoking remained unacceptably high, with almost 3,400 Queenslanders each year dying as a result of smoking.

“Smoking-related hospital admissions also place a huge burden on public finances, costing Queensland’s health system $217 million a year,” he said.

“That’s why we’re acting to further strengthen Queensland’s already tough anti-smoking regime, which is now the toughest in Australia.”

Mr Robertson said new mandatory reporting laws were needed to tackle situations where medical practitioners have been aware of misconduct on the part of their colleagues but have not reported their concerns.

“Already, medical practitioners in Queensland have a duty to alert authorities about practitioners whose health, conduct or performance is a threat to the public,” he said.

“Enshrining this existing duty in law provides another important safeguard, which will deliver real improvements to patient safety.”

Mr Robertson said the Health and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2008 was drafted following consultation with the Commission for Children, Young People and Child Guardian, Department of Child Safety, Health Quality and Complaints Commission, Medical Board of Queensland, Queensland Police Service and other stakeholders.

MEDIA: Martin Philip 3225 2680 or 0407 675 008