Changes Under 2023 Act Aim to Discourage Smoking and Reduce Harm

Smokers across Australia will soon notice significant changes to cigarette and tobacco products as new federal laws under the Public Health (Tobacco and Other Products) Act 2023 take full effect. Retailers are already beginning to stock products compliant with the new regulations, which aim to further reduce smoking rates and protect public health by making tobacco less appealing and informative about quitting.

Key changes mandated by the legislation, expected to be fully visible by June 30, 2025, include:

• Taste and Feel: Certain ingredients, flavors (including menthol, rum, clove), and accessories like crush balls will be banned. This aims to stop masking tobacco's harshness and reduce addictiveness.
• Product Names: Misleading descriptors like 'smooth' or 'gold', which falsely imply reduced harm, will be removed from product names.
• Standardized Sizes: Cigarette packs must contain 20 sticks, filtered/little cigar packs 20 cigars, and roll-your-own pouches 30 grams. Cartons must hold 10 packs.
• Uniform Cigarette Appearance: All cigarettes must have the same standard length and width, and unique filters are banned.
• Enhanced Warnings: Updated, potentially larger, graphic health warnings and messages will appear on packaging. New quit-support information cards will be included inside packs.

Read more:Australia Introduces Health Warnings on Individual Cigarettes

The Federal Department of Health states these changes are crucial as tobacco use remains Australia's leading cause of preventable death, contributing significantly to the health gap for First Nations people. While Australia boasts low smoking rates globally, these measures aim to drive them down further towards a smoke-free future.