Plan proposes booze, cigarette tax hikes

27 Aug 2009, 1:44 pm   -   Source: AAP
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Cigarette promotions would be banned inside shops under the new laws. (AP)

Cigarette promotions would be banned inside shops under the new laws. (AP)

Cigarettes and alcohol could become significantly more expensive under a plan to make Australians slimmer and healthier.

The price of cheaper alcohol favoured by teens and problem drinkers would be forced up by a new tax as part of a package to improve Australians' health.

The Preventative Health Taskforce, a group handpicked by Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, has developed a plan to make Australians slimmer and healthier, News Limited newspapers say.

The taskforce proposals, in a report to the federal government, also include:

- cash incentives or vouchers to encourage people in poorer communities to eat healthy food;

- a "health compact" between the government and the food industry for cuts in the levels of salt, sugar and fat and to improve the nutritional value in everyday foods;

- a $5 increase in the price of an average packet of 30 cigarettes;

- an end to cigarette promotions inside shops;

- stricter controls on licensing hours and alcohol advertising;

Measures on alcohol are designed to cut alcohol abuse levels by 30 per cent within 10 years, News Limited says.

The taskforce's report did not set out targets or a timeframe for cuts to fat, salt and sugar in foods.

An alcohol sponsorship ban could cost sports up to $300 million a year collectively in lost revenue, the report says.

AMA President Andrew Pesce welcomed the measures, saying doctors treated the effects of smoking, drinking and obesity on a daily basis.

"It's vitally important that as a community we do everything we can to improve the health of our community, not just through treating illness but preventing it in the first place," Dr Pesce told reporters in Sydney.

Dr Pesce said the AMA had always supported decreasing smoking rates by cutting advertising funds and increasing cigarette prices.

While the plan for food vouchers is a "radical" proposal, it would encourage people to improve their diets, he said.

"I think it's an excellent step, I think it's probably good public policy in general terms.

"I think that if we can encourage people to make good food choices ... that has to be a benefit for our health as a community."

Dr Pesce said the government would have to engage in a long consultation process with the medical profession and other industries potentially affected by the proposals.

"There's no doubt that this needs real consultation, the government has to learn that it can't just decide it wants to do things and expect that's going to happen.

"This is only the beginning of the process, it's going to have to put a lot of work in and engage with these people to make it work."

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Your Comments

HEALTHY FOOD VOUCHERS

PETER ODI - from DEAKIN ACT 2600, 3 years ago

THE HEALTHY FOOD VOUCHERS IS AN EXCELLENT IDEA. MANY POOR AND HOMELESS PEOPLE ARE FORCED TO EAT SCRAPS. THEY DO NOT HAVE THE LUXURY OF CHOOSING HEALTHIER FOOD. ON THE OTHER HAND MANY WHO CAN AFFORD TO CHOOSE HEALTHIER FOOD JUST DON'T BOTHER TO CHANGE THEIR HABITS. BUT IF THIS VOUCHERS ARE TARGETED TO THESE KIND OF PEOPLE AS WELL THEY WILL HAVE THE INCENTIVE TO TRY HEALTHIER ALTERNATIVES.

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