Information strategy

The report, 'A National Approach for Reducing Access to Tobacco in Australia by Young People Under 18 Years of Age' has been developed following an examination of the evidence provided by a range of Australian and international studies, from consultations with key stakeholders and partners in Australia and from reports provided by government officers. The National Approach identifies and discusses relevant issues regarding the sale and supply of tobacco to young people and recommends the adoption of a comprehensive range of programs to address young people’s access to tobacco products. The identification of the key elements for a comprehensive and effective sales to minors program and the recommendations for best practice are provided in this report.

In developing the National Approach a number of issues were identified concerning the adoption of best practice recommendations by jurisdictions in Australia. These issues were examined further at a National Sales to Minors workshop held in June 2000 involving government officials and officers responsible for the development, implementation and evaluation of sales to minors programs in Australia. It was agreed that an information kit would assist jurisdictions in adopting the best practice recommendations provided by the National Approach and should therefore be a component of the National Approach package.

The following kit therefore is designed to:

• provide policy officers and other senior officers working within States and Territories with supportive information that explains key issues relating to the best practice recommendations presented in the National Approach;

• provide these officers with appropriate responses to some commonly asked questions regarding these issues; and

• provide information that will assist jurisdiction in the preparation of briefs and reports on sales to minors issues for key stakeholders.

The information provided in this kit is based on:

• an examination of the evidence provided by Australian and international studies and discussed in the report, ‘A National Approach for Reducing Young People’s Access to Tobacco in Australia’;

• a review of resources currently available in Australia such as Policy and Procedures Manuals, State-based protocols and guidelines and associated information pamphlets; and

• the agreed responses to key questions relating to the adoption of best practice and implementation issues identified at the National Sales to Minors Workshop held in August 2000.

The National Sales to Minors Project recognises that many local community project managers and government officers in Australia have undertaken considerable efforts in the development of comprehensive and effective sales to minors programs. They serve as a valuable resource for those jurisdictions planning to instigate new sales to minors initiatives and strategies. Case study examples from Western Australia, New South Wales and Victoria are provided in Appendix B of the National Approach package.

As well, a range of resources has been produced in conjunction with these programs and they are listed in Appendix D.

It is envisaged that in adopting best practice recommendations States and Territories will work closely with key stakeholders within their jurisdictions and that this information kit will assist them to formulate effective strategies for the implementation of best practice within current and new program areas.