Viewers should be warned about smoking in TV shows and movies just like they're alerted about drug use, violence and coarse language, say doctors.
They also want nationally-consistent controls and restrictions placed on the marketing and advertising of e-cigarettes, the same as applies to tobacco products.
The recommendations are included in the AMA's latest position statement on tobacco, replacing its 2005 stance, which now incorporates e-cigarettes.
"While some states have taken a strong stance on e-cigarettes, others have not, which sends conflicting messages to consumers," AMA president Professor Brian Owler said.
"The promotion of e-cigarettes to young people as recreational products has the potential to undermine tobacco control efforts, and normalise the act of smoking."
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They shouldn't be sold to anyone under 18, nor marketed as smoking cessation aids as this was not supported by the evidence, he said.
The AMA said the placement of tobacco products in films and TV programs contributes to young people taking up, and continuing, the habit.
"The Indian government ordered that from mid-2005 no one on film or television should be depicted smoking, and when old films are shown they have to carry warnings or they will have smoking scenes blurred.
"One approach that might be suitable for the Australian context is the addition of a warning at the start of a film or television program that alerts the viewer to depictions of smoking."
Tobacco smoking is the largest single preventable cause of death and disease in Australia, says the AMA noting a recent study found two in three smokers will die as a result of their habit.
AMA RECOMMENDATIONS INCLUDE:
* expand designated smoke-free areas
* provide increased cessation support for pregnant women who smoke
* increase cigarette prices - shown to be "the single most effective intervention" in reducing demand
* ban teachers, staff and visitors from smoking on or close to school premises
* refine and extend plain tobacco packaging
