Tasmania looks to raise tobacco purchase age to 25

A five-year strategic health plan published by the state government of Tasmania, Australia, includes a proposal to raise the legal age to purchase cigarettes to 21 or 25, according to a story in the Tasmania Mercury relayed by the TMA.

The plan was described by the Health Minister Michael Ferguson as a “deliberately ambitious” plan to make the state the “healthiest” in the country by 2025.

The government is seeking suggestions for tackling what it sees as key health problem areas, including physical inactivity, high alcohol consumption and low fruit and vegetable intake, but it has highlighted smoking and obesity as its major priorities for the next five years.

Ferguson said there was international evidence that significant health benefits could be achieved by raising the minimum legal smoking age from 18 to 21 or 25. More than 30 percent of Tasmanians aged 18-24 are said to be daily or occasional smokers. The Australian Medical Association (AMA), the Cancer Council and the Heart Foundation have welcomed the new direction on health.

AMA state president Tim Greenaway said he would favour raising the legal smoking age to 25.

Opposition health spokeswoman Rebecca White said the preventive health plan was welcome but underwhelming. “Despite being in government for nearly two years and receiving a preventive health committee report in July, the Liberals are only releasing a consultation paper now,” White said.