Radical anti-smoking laws looming

* Move to ban cigarette vending machines * Shops may be forced to put tobacco out of sight * Proposal to ban smoking in cars carrying kids NSW is to become Australia's toughest state for smokers, with a move to ban all cigarette vending machines, put Cigarettes out of sight in shops and crack down on underage smokers. The radical anti-smoking package also proposes a ban on smoking in cars carrying children and slapping restrictions on underage employees selling smokes. The proposals are outlined in a discussion paper released today by Premier Morris Iemma, who said the package would protect children: "Right now, children walk into shops and are confronted with a wall of Cigarettes, displayed right next to sweets, chips and other children's treats. Children are More influenced by tobacco marketing than adults." Under the Government's anti-smoking blueprint, retailers would become like hotel bouncers and ask for ID from anyone buying Cigarettes who looks under 25. NSW could follow South Australia by banning smoking in cars carrying children but would go one step further and remove tobacco products from public view. Supermarkets, service stations, convenience stores, newsagents and other retail outlets could be forced to conceal all tobacco products. And a staple in almost every NSW hotel - cigarette vending machines - could become extinct, with a plan to ban them. Other proposals in the discussion paper include limiting tobacco to one point-of-sale in retail outlets, a ban on tobacco products in shopper loyalty programs and a licensing scheme for tobacco retailers, with deregistration for retailers caught selling to minors. Research shows More than 80 per cent of smokers took up the habit as teenagers, More than 20 per cent of 12-17 year olds in NSW have tried smoking in the past year, and More than 10 per cent consider themselves current smokers. Minister Assisting the Minister for Health (Cancer), Verity Firth, said the proposals were part of a Government plan to bring smoking rates down from 18.5 per cent to 13 per cent by 2016. "We have phased out smoking in pubs and clubs and have banned tobacco marketing gimmicks used to appeal to young people - like fruit-flavoured Cigarettes and smoking tents at music festivals," she said. The proposals go on display today. Submissions can be made until June 22.