News & Events

CERA backs calls for cigarette price hike

23 August, 2010

CERA has joined the chorus of health organisations calling for a floor price of $15 for cigarettes to prevent retailer discounting in light of planned plain packaging laws.

 

Managing Director Professor Jonathan Crowston said CERA welcomes the proposed plain cigarette packaging laws, due to take effect in July next year. 

 

"If adhered to, a floor price will help ensure the proposed laws are effective in deterring people from smoking," said Professor Jonathan Crowston.

 

"Smoking is a known risk factor for age-related macular degeneration (AMD), Australia's leading cause of vision loss and blindness, with research showing that smokers are three times more likely to develop the disease."

 

"As there's no known cure and limited treatment options for AMD, cutting out risk factors like smoking is the best weapon against the disease."

 

Professor Crowston said that although cigarette packets featured warnings about the risk of blindness caused by smoking, there is still a lack of community awareness. 

 

AMD is a progressive disease affecting the central area of the retina called the macula. Fifteen per cent of people over 50, or half a million Australians, live with the early stages of the disease.