Huge call to ban cigarettes in Coles and Woolworths – what you need to know

• Supermarkets could face new legislation
• NSW has brought in a new licensing scheme

By CHARLOTTE MCINTYRE FOR DAILY MAIL AUSTRALIA

Published: 00:03 BST, 1 June 2025 | Updated: 00:49 BST, 1 June 2025

Anthony Albanese faces a huge call to ban cigarettes from supermarkets in the latest move to clamp down on smoking. 

Lung Foundation Australia CEO Mark Brooke is calling on the government to bring in new legislation as he branded supermarkets ‘irresponsible’ for selling cigarettes.

‘We need everyone from government to big corporations to put the lung health of Australians ahead of profits from a product that kills 66 Australians daily,’ he told news.com.au.

‘Previous news reports have highlighted Coles estimates their cigarette sales each year is enough to kill more than 1,600 Australians and cause tobacco-related medical costs of more than $300 million a year.’

It follows a new licensing scheme which is set to take effect across New South Wales from July 1. 

Aussies may soon no longer be able to buy cigarettes during their weekly grocery shops across the country as restrictions on smoking increase.  

The new scheme requires all tobacco retailers and wholesalers to have a license to sell tobacco and non-tobacco smoking products in the state.

In NSW, only pharmacies are licensed to sell any type of vaping good, regardless of its nicotine content.

The government is facing calls to ban supermarkets from selling cigarettes (stock)

Coles said it ‘recognises the need to provide a choice’ to smokers who wish to purchase cigarettes ‘legally’ (stock)

It’s illegal for any other retailers to sell vaping products.  

Lung Foundation Australia has urged the federal government to follow suit and introduce legislation that would cover the entire country. 

‘The federal government can support broader efforts by investigating the health and economic impacts of a generational phase out of tobacco products,’ Lung Foundation Australia said.

Former smoker Sarah Waters has also called on cigarettes to be banned from supermarkets. 

She said that although it isn’t easy to quit, putting restrictions in place to make it harder to buy cigarettes would make a ‘big difference’.

Prince Charles Hospital thoracic physician Henry Marshall suggested nicotine is as addictive as heroin as he joined the campaign to ban cigarettes from supermarkets.

He said smokers who want to give up are being impeded by how easily accessible cigarettes are. 

Shoppers could soon face having to go elsewhere to purchase cigarettes (stock)

Professor Marshall said the difference between nicotine and heroin is, ‘you can’t buy heroin with your weekly shopping’.

Coles said in a statement they complied with all laws and saw the need to maintain a legal route for smokers to buy cigarettes.

‘Coles complies with all Commonwealth, State and Territory laws aimed at minimising the negative health effects of tobacco use, however we recognise the need to provide choice to those customers who wish to purchase these products legally,’ a spokesperson told NewsWire. 

The latest government data shows smoking rates have fallen from 20 per cent of the population in 2001, to eight per cent.

Taxes from tobacco have fallen dramatically with the federal government receiving $16.3bn in revenue five years ago, to $7.4bn this year.

Daily Mail Australia contacted Coles and Woolworths for comment.  

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Huge call to ban cigarettes in Coles and Woolworths – what you need to know

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