WILLS
    \111-1-5 (,\U:~TR.MJA) L.].\IITED
    A.C (XW
    2 July, 1993
    The Hon. M. Evans, MP
    Minister of Health
    Parliament House
    ADELAIDE S.A. 5000
    Dear Minister,
    I am writing to you before the next Ministerial Council on Drug Strategy (MCDS) to
    reaffirm my support for the existing health warnings on cigarette packs and to
    emphasise :ny opposition to any further changes.
    I attach for you key findings taken from a national awareness study recently
    completed by ANTOP Research Services Pty. Ltd. This establishes that among young
    people aged 115 to 19 years, 100 per cent confirm their awareness of the reported
    smoking and, amongst all respondents, awareness was 99.7 per cent.
    health risks o~
    In light of these high levels -of awareness, I believe there is no need whatsoever to
    0
    increase the size or number of waming~ to be carried on Australian cigarette packs.
    There is no evidence to date that stronger warnings on packs deter people,
    particularly nuveniles, from smoking. 1, and the Tobacco Industry, reiterate the offer
    to collaborate with health authorities, both Federal and State/Territory, on ways to
    deal with deterring juvenile smoking.
    Any change to the current warnings is, in my opinion, not only unwarranted,but
    would be costly and would devalue the trade marks of cigarette brands in Australia.
    Yours falth~-.:'ly
    A.C. Johnston
    Chief Exe-.-~--e U4
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    Frivate Bag I Maroubra NSNV 2035 Australia Tel (02) 34-31200 F3x (02) 344 1 ISS L'14
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    BATCo document for Legal Services : Health Canada 19 October 1999