• "Say No for 9" TV ad - new Aboriginal maternal health campaign
• Attend the media launch for the 'Clean the air: why wouldn't you?' campaign
• Cigarette packaging legislation passes Senate
• Australia seeks world backing on tobacco legal fight

"Say No for 9" - new Aboriginal maternal health TV advertising campaign in the Hunter posted 28 November 2011
The New England Division of General Practice together with the Hunter New England Aboriginal Maternal Infant Health Strategy have launched a new campaign encouraging pregnant women to give up the smokes, alcohol and other drugs during their pregnancy. Check out their great ad here! (wmv-5mb)

Want to appear in the ‘Clear the air: Why wouldn’t you?’ media launch? posted 22 November 2011
This Thursday, 24 November at 6pm, MPs will be discussing smoke-free outdoor area laws, thanks to the efforts of the Cancer Council NSW’s People’s Petition.

To ensure that this issue gets as much exposure as possible and that it is high in the minds of politicians as they walk into Parliament, there will be a media launch on the day of the debate. The launch will be held at 10:00am on 24 November and they’re hoping to get a crowd of people to appear in any photos or filming that may occur. If you can be in Sydney and are interested in being a part of the ‘Clear the air: Why wouldn’t you?’ launch, send an email to:

and type the message ‘I want my 10 minutes of fame’.

For more information about the campaign please visit the Cancer Council NSW's 'Clean the air: why wouldn't you?' site.

Cigarette packaging legislation passes Senate posted 11 November 2011
The Senate has passed the Federal Government's plain packaging laws for cigarettes, with amendments to the start date. The new packaging laws are now due to come into effect in December 2012, six months later than the original time frame. Due to the amendments, the legislation will first have to return to the Lower House for approval. Australia will become the first country to introduce plain packaging laws and Health Minister Nicola Roxon says the move will reduce the number of deaths from smoking-related diseases. "It will give our country the best chance of having the lowest smoking rates," Ms Roxon said. The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare estimates 15,500 Australians are killed by tobacco-related diseases every year and says passive smoking affects the health of children. Read the full article here. To read some related articles on plain packaging visit the ASH Australia website.

Australia seeks world backing on tobacco legal fight posted 11 October 2011
Australia is confident the world's toughest anti-tobacco laws will soon pass parliament, but the government warned that the anti-smoking fight was not over and urged other nations to reject a possible World Trade Organization (WTO) challenge backed by big tobacco. Health Minister Nicola Roxon said the minority government was bracing not only for a court challenge to its plan to force cigarettes to be sold in plain packaging from 2012, but also an intellectual property dispute at the World Trade Organization. "A tobacco company themselves can't bring a claim in the WTO. A state has to do that," Roxon told Reuters in an interview. "I won't be surprised if tobacco companies are out there looking for a country to claim on their behalf, and we urge countries not to do that". Read the full article from Reuters.