Mr J. BULL (Sunbury) — It is always a pleasure to follow the member for Ringwood, and I congratulate her on managing to give up smoking a number of years ago. I am delighted to be able to speak on the Tobacco Amendment Bill 2016. This is a very important bill and, as we have heard, it aims to place greater regulations around the leading cause of chronic illness in Australia — that is, smoking. As we know, smoking is a major public health issue, and the key reforms addressed in this bill are obviously banning smoking in outdoor eating areas and regulating the safe use, promotion and sale of e-cigarettes.

I have listened quite closely this evening to contributions from all sides of the house, and I think it is certainly worth reflecting on how much society has changed in relation to smoking and cigarettes over the past few decades.

You only need to walk out into Queen’s Hall, or certainly into the government party room and a number of other rooms around the Parliament, to see that the pictures are predominantly of men, I should note, who have been photographed or painted with cigars or pipes in hand. I know that the member for Yuroke enjoys older films. If you look at some old movies, you will see that a number of people in those films are often seen smoking — smoking in the workplace, smoking in social situations and of course smoking in the home.

Times have changed considerably. We can see that the promotion of smoking within all of these settings was something that society just accepted as something that was a given. My father took up smoking when he was just 13 and smoked until he was in his mid-40s. To his great credit he quit because my sister and I both suffered from asthma, and smoke around the home was not a good thing. We can cast our minds back to the Benson & Hedges Cup. As I have mentioned, smoking was associated with sport, movies and pop culture. This connection and promotion through cigarettes was very common and a very dumb thing. We have come a long way but there is a long way to go.

Statistically, in Victoria smoking rates are fortunately at their lowest ever. According to a 2013 study, 12.6 per cent of the population smoked — a decrease from 15.5 per cent in 2010. We know that great work is being done in the community, and a bill such as the one we have today does have a significant impact on reducing smoking rates. I also note the work done by the lead health agencies to make sure that we are reducing the number of people smoking in our society. That is a very important and very good thing. Many of the smoking-related initiatives that I have just spoken about have occurred over the last 15 years, including banning smoking in shopping centres, in 2001; banning smoking in enclosed workplaces and at underage music events, in 2006; prohibitions on advertising, particularly to young people; and tackling the detrimental effects of smoking in Victoria. The first part of this bill will place a prohibition on smoking in outdoor dining areas. The aim is to increase the number of smoke-free areas in order to provide healthier and safer dining environments for the community.

As I have mentioned, thanks to a very successful public health campaign we are certainly all aware of the dangers of passive smoking. The fact remains that there is no safe level of second-hand smoke; it is a fundamental danger to all non-smokers, particularly children. This evening I have listened to a number of members who have spoken about the dangers of smoking in cars. When we look back at smoking in cars et cetera, we need to look at it through eyes that are not too judgemental. As the science has increased and our knowledge of medicine and health has increased, we understand the effects far more than were ever known, but I certainly think that we must all work harder and do more to ensure that we reduce those smoking rates and ensure that all of these areas can be smoke-free, to make sure that people can have a meal and enjoy a lunch or dinner without the effects of second-hand smoke. In Melbourne and Victoria obviously we are famous for our hospitality, and our dining industry is the envy of the world and contributes not only to our cultural identity but also significantly to our vibrant economy.

I am certainly aware of the time and that a number of speakers are still to come. The second part of the reforms look to regulate the use of electronic cigarettes. This is a precautionary response to a new type of cigarette which, instead of burning tobacco, burns a heated liquid. We do not yet fully understand the potential dangers of e-cigarettes, which is why I am certainly pleased, and we are very pleased as a government, to be able to ensure that the legislation is before the house today. Ultimately this bill serves to regulate e-cigarettes and ban smoking in outdoor areas. I commend the bill to the house.