Another initiative is the Tobacco Advertising Prohibition Act 1992 which entered into force in 1993. The Act establishes a national prohibition on tobacco advertising at sporting and cultural events. It extends the existing bans on broadcasting and print media and complements the action of those States and Territories which have introduced their own restrictions on tobacco promotion. Removing tobacco advertising is primarily a prevention activity intended to reduce the number of children taking up smoking. Although advertising may not directly cause children to smoke, it reinforces other influences such as peer and social pressures which cause children to smoke.
Tobacco advertisements glamorise smoking, making it seem like a desirable activity.
This initiative is an attempt to minimise the impact of tobacco advertising on the public by breaking the nexus between tobacco messages and glamorous sporting events and other positive portrayals. This is especially important in the Australian context where sport is a vital part of our culture and where elite sports people are idolised, particularly by the young. Under these Conventions Australia contributes to global, regional and bilateral efforts to promote health, welfare and the social fabric of the international community by minimising the harmful effects of drugs in ways that are consistent with national drug policies. State and Territory matters Australian Capital Territory 1725. This Act provides more severe penalties for the supply of drugs of dependence to children than for supply to adults.