Remember not so long ago, 20 short years in fact, you could smoke at your desk at work. Smoking was even permitted on buses, trains and planes, shops, as well as in hospitals and schools. Advertising for cigarettes appeared on television, radio, magazines, newspapers and on public billboards.

1967	The Australian Council on Smoking & Health (ACOSH) was formed in NSW.
1971	WA branch of ACOSH formed.
1972	The health warning, “Smoking is a Health Hazard” became compulsory on cigarette packets in Australia.
1974	Metropolitan trains, buses and ferries in Perth became smoke-free.
1975	Federal legislation banning cigarette advertising on television and radio came into effect with the Broadcasting television Act Amendment Act 1976, Section 6.
1978	ACOSH head office in Sydney passed national direction of the organisation on to Western Australia which houses the most comprehensive national library on tobacco related facts in Australia. Western Australian Health Act 1911-1979 part VII, Division 1, protects workers to a safe environment with clean air and eliminated any other nuisance causing agents in the air. Hospitals Act 1927-1976, Regulation 10 22(1) a person shall not smoke in any area of the hospital.
1982	Metropolitan (Perth) passenger Transport Trust Act 1957-1980 (now Transperth) Metropolitan (Perth) Passenger Transport Trust Regulations 1977 prohibits smoking in any vehicle or Transperth premises. Private members bill (Smoking and Tobacco Products advertisement Bill) to ban advertising introduced into WA parliament by Dr Tom Dadour, passed through the Legislative Assembly but was defeated by a margin of two votes in the Legislative Council.
1983	In WA a substantial increase in cigarette tax was imposed and an allocation of $2 million per year was made for community smoking education (including Quit). Government bill to ban advertising introduced into WA parliament by Minister for Health (Barry Hodge). The Bill passed through the Legislative Assembly but was defeated by a margin of two votes in Legislative Council. The National Heart Foundation started its first major public education program on smoking.
1984	Occupational Health, Safety and Welfare Act 1984 governs employees for a safe and healthy work environment at work was implemented. ACOSH urges employees to take affirmative action against employers if smoking continued. Even so far as to help organise petitions and strikes.
1985	Health Act 1911 Food Hygiene Amendment Regulations 1985 prohibits persons handling food from smoking or chewing tobacco, section 28 1 and 60 (i).
1986	Stronger health warnings were introduced on cigarette packets under the tobacco (Warning labels) regulations 1987. The Federal government prohibited smoking on all domestic aircraft flights under the Air Navigational Act 1920.
1987	Four warnings were issued on packets: “Smoking Causes Lung Cancer, Smoking Causes Heart Disease, Smoking Damages Your Lungs, Smoking Reduces Your Fitness.”
1988	Amendment to the Australian Broadcasting and Television Act, extends bans on direct advertising to include all tobacco products. The Australian Public Service was converted to a smoke-free workplace.
1989	The Western Australian pubic Service became a smoke-free workplace.
1990	The Tobacco Control Act was passed in WA Parliament which increased the fine for sales of cigarettes to under 18 year olds to $5000, ended free samples of cigarettes and competitions involving cigarettes, restricted outdoor advertising of cigarettes, established the WA Health Promotion Foundation (Healthway) to replace tobacco sponsorship of sport and the arts with health messages and fund health promotion and research. Advertising of cigarettes in magazines and newspapers also ceased due to Federal government legislation under the Smoking & Tobacco Products Advertisements (Prohibition) Act 1989. Smoking on international airlines within Australia was banned from 1 September. Cinemas, theatres and concert halls went smoke free under the WA Health Act 1911 Public Buildings Regulations sections 39 and 58. Smoking was still permitted in the foyers and bars.
1991	‘The Morling Judgement’ provides a precedent for courts to deal with claims concerning passive smoking. Ministry of Education schools in WA were declared smoke-free under the Smoking in the Workplace Law #214. TAB agencies in WA introduced smoke-free policies after a South Australian woman successfully sued the TAB where she worked for 10 years from suffering from the effects of passive smoking under the Workcover workers compensation scheme. All sleeping cars on the Indian Pacific and Trans Australian line went smoke-free with smoking areas set aside. Point of Sale Advertising under the Tobacco Control Act 1990 prohibits tobacco advertising outside of shops or in view of public places, advertising larger than 1m x 1m, larger health warning signs.
1992	The Federal government announced that all tobacco sponsorship of sport and arts will end by 1995/1996. Stronger health warnings and content labelling information on cigarette packages have been announced to come into effect across Australia by 1993. International airline terminals went smoke free by July. Taxis went smoke-free in January in Perth prohibiting both drivers and passengers from smoking. Antonio Cipollone in the United States successfully sued 3 tobacco companies following his wife’s death from lung cancer, as the tobacco companies have known for many years that there was a link between cigarette smoking and cancer.
1994	Billboard advertising of tobacco products is made illegal under the Tobacco Control Act 1990.
1999	Health (Smoking in Enclosed Public Places) Regulations 1999 (WA) Act prohibits smoking in public places where food is served. In February, ACOSH conducts secret testing of Burswood Casino employees, finding that workers completing their shifts had increased levels of nicotine in their blood and diminished lung function through passive smoking in the workplace. This helped bring changes to Regulations governing smoking in enclosed public places in Western Australia.
2000	Health (Smoking in Enclosed Public Places) Regulations 1999 (WA) Act prohibits smoking in public places where food is served. Includes inside restaurants and cafes but excludes alfresco areas, the Burswood Casino and Assoc for the Blind Bingo Hall.
2001	Mar 26th, after much publicity and pressure from ACOSH, Burswood Casino implements smoke-free gaming areas on the main gaming floor, 50% of video (pokie) machines and the Cabaret Lounge, excluding the International Room, Winners Bar and the Irish Pub.
2001	May 1st Marlene Sharpe from NSW wins $450,000 payout from Port Kembla Hotel and RSL from the effects of passive smoking against her employers of 11 years in the 80s.
2004	The Labor Party announced that it would no longer accept donations from tobacco companies. Premier announces end date of July 2006 for smoking in hotels and nightclubs in WA.
2005	Tobacco Products Control Bill introduced into parliament to replace and update the Tobacco Control Act 1990. The Bill contains amendments to the Tobacco Control Act relating to advertising, sponsorships, packaging and labelling, exemptions, sales to minors, licensing, enforcement, administration, interpretations and judicial processes. The Bill introduces more effective controls on the illegal sale and supply of tobacco products to children and young people under 18 years of age.
2006	July 31st, pubs and nightclubs go smokefree in WA.
2007	Licensing for tobacco retailers comes into force with strict limits on display of tobacco products at point of sale.

Click here to view the Tobacco Products Control Act 2006

The Future of Tobacco

It is a grave error in our legislative history that tobacco is a legal product whereby cannabis and cocaine are not, and yet, smoking kills more people than both these hard drugs alone.

ACOSH hopes that children born in 2001 who will celebrate their 18th birthdays in 2019 will live in a community where there is no cigarette smoking in public places. Tobacco may even be banned or its use restricted by laws that control dangerous drugs. ACOSH supports the call of the World Health Organisation for a tobacco-free environment for our next generation.

The ACOSH team at work

The work of the ACOSH team is undertaken currently by a small team comprising health promotion researchers, project staff, and a librarian, assisted by an extensive network of medical professionals. The work of ACOSH relies totally on funds from a number of sources and the support of many individuals interested in and concerned about smoking and health. The research functions of ACOSH are supported by funds from a variety of sources. Of the many individuals supporting our work, special thanks go to Healthway who provide the funding to make ACOSH possible.