Mining billionaire Andrew ‘Twiggy’ Forrest has announced controversial plans to see Australia’s legal smoking age raised to 21.
The anti-cancer campaigner’s Minderoo Foundation has called on the Federal and State government’s to ‘stop fuelling big tobacco preying on our vulnerable youth.’
The plan, backed by Mr Forest and his wife Nicola, includes pursuing legal action on behalf of smoking victims, as well as pushing for legislation changes.
Mining billionaire Andrew ‘Twiggy’ Forrest (pictured) has announced controversial plans to see Australia’s legal smoking age raised to 21
The idea was presented by Mr Forrest and members of the Eliminate Cancer Initiative at a meeting for the Council of Australian Governments back in August.
‘When tobacco causes many times more cost to the nation than it ever brings in revenue and creates extreme suffering… there is something seriously wrong with any government in the world, particularly ours, tolerating it,’ he said.
Reports from the Department of Health suggest that smoking can kill an estimated 15,000 Australians each year and cost upwards of $31.5 billion.
Mr Forrest said almost 90 per cent of adult smokers first start the habit as children and the law needed to be changed to stop the issue before it starts.
‘We know that once young people have hit 18, many will not have made up their minds to smoke or not,’ he said.
‘By the time they reach 21, they are hooked and become lifelong customers of big tobacco.’
The anti-cancer campaigner’s Minderoo Foundation has called on the Federal and State government’s to ‘stop fuelling big tobacco preying on our vulnerable youth’ through legal action and legislation changes
Reports from the Department of Health suggest that smoking can kill an estimated 15,000 Australians each year and cost upwards of $31.5 billion (stock image)
The Former CEO of Fortescue Metals Group said tobacco companies needed to be held account financially for the suffering they cause Australians.
Part of the $75 million funding the ECI received from the Forrests’ will be used to launch a legal ‘assault’ against tobacco companies.
The ECI aims to help accelerate cancer research, improve prevention, detection and treatment options including access to clinical trials.
NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard applauded Mr Forrest’s efforts, saying he suppotred plans for legal action against ‘big tobacco’.
‘As health minister I’ve got no time whatsoever for big tobacco companies… They know well and truly the dangers of smoking and the costs to individuals and the community,’ he told The Daily Telegraph.
The Former CEO of Fortescue Metals Group (pictured) said tobacco companies needed to be held account financially for the suffering they cause Australians