[Intl-tobacco] Australia: Tobacco industry wins time on ingredient disclosure

[Robert Weissman]

Tobacco industry wins time -
Sydney Morning Herald
 November 3, 2003

 Geesche Jacobsen


 The Federal Government has extended a voluntary disclosure scheme for
the tobacco industry, despite calls by critics for more consumer
information and tighter regulation. Under the current scheme, the
department's website lists manufacturers' information on some
ingredients, but not the content or residue of the tobacco.

 Australian manufacturers do not have to break down what they list as
"processing aids". But European producers have had to disclose all
ingredients, justify their use, and explain their health impact since
January. Disclosure is also required in parts of Canada and in Thailand.

 The head of Action on Smoking and Health, Anne Jones, said: "The
current level of accountability and disclosure is minimal. It's as if
you are giving tobacco companies free reign to continue producing the
most lethal addictive products that we have without trying to regulate
them in the same way as others."

 A spokesman for the Department of Health said it had extended the
scheme until December 2004, but was "considering options for future
disclosure requirements". The co-director of the VicHealth Centre for
Tobacco Control, Ron Borland, said many of the ingredients Australian
consumers are not told about may be harmful and make cigarettes more
attractive. But Dr Borland said the harmful effects of tobacco itself
were of most concern.

 A spokesman for Philip Morris Australia said the company disclosed
cigarette ingredients on its website, but "the ingredients we use do not
make cigarettes less safe". Australian manufacturers also declare
components of cigarette smoke, tar, nicotine and carbon monoxide levels.