Lyn Allison (Victoria, Australian Democrats) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Pursuant to standing order 74(5) I ask Minister Ellison, the Minister representing the Attorney-General, for an explanation as to why an answer has not been provided to my question on notice No. 2505 asked on 25 September relating to fire safe cigarettes.

Chris Ellison (WA, Liberal Party, Minister for Justice and Customs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I understand there was an answer given to that question. If that has not been received yet by Senator Allison, I can advise the Senate that that was a question that was asked on 25 September 2006 with five parts relating to cigarettes, the cause of fires by cigarettes and RIP cigarettes. Without detaining the Senate I can table that question and provide a copy to Senator Allison, if that is satisfactory. Or I can read it into the record if it is so wished.

Paul Calvert (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I think it might be wise to incorporate it in Hansard.

Chris Ellison (WA, Liberal Party, Minister for Justice and Customs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to incorporate it in Hansard.

Leave granted.

The document read as follows—

(Question No. 2505)

Senator Allison asked the Minister representing the Attorney-General, upon notice, on 25 September 2006:

(1)

How many Australians lose their lives to fires caused by cigarettes each year.

(2)

Can the Minister confirm that in March 2005, Australia’s fire chiefs and all state emergency services ministers unanimously called for the fast tracking of reduced-ignition propensity (RIP) cigarettes legislation.

(3)

Have any of the three major tobacco companies operating in Australia voluntarily introduced RIP cigarettes.

(4) (a)

Are consumer safety standards for cigarettes routinely set to laboratory standardised conditions; and (b) does this include testing for tar and nicotine yields.

(5)

What is the timeframe for further action now that Standards Australia has released the draft standard, Determination of the extinction propensity of cigarettes.

Senator EllisonThe Attorney-General has provided the following answer to the honourable senator’s question:

(1)

Six deaths per annum.

(2)

The Ministers did not call for legislation. The Ministers agreed to the development of a standard for Reduced Ignition Propensity cigarettes. The standard is currently in draft.

(3)

No.

(4)

(a)

The draft standard, Determination of the extinction propensity of cigarettes, does include laboratory standardised conditions.

(b)

The draft standard does not include testing for tar and nicotine yields.

(5)

The issue was discussed at the Ministerial Council of Police and Emergency Management on 17 November 2006. The Council: agreed to request the Australian Government Treasurer to introduce a compulsory consumer product (Safety) standard under the Trade Practices Act 1974 requiring that all cigarettes manufactured in or imported into Australia must meet an identified performance standard based on that adopted in the USA and Canada. That is, that no more than 25 percent of cigarettes tested in accordance with the Australian Standard will exhibit a full length burn.

New South Wales will lead the development of a Regulatory Impact Statement including consideration of any possible toxicity and liability issues. It is expected that this will take between 12 and 18 months subject to COAG and other processes. The Regulatory Impact Statement is required under the COAG Principles and Guidelines for National Standard Setting and Regulatory Action by Ministerial Councils and Standard-Setting Bodies.