AUSTRALIA 
Laws target underage smoking and drinking
Friday, 7 May, 2004
New laws have been implemented to discourage young people from taking up smoking and the drinking of alcohol.
The measures include increased taxes on sweet alcoholic drinks, known as �alcopops�, and a ban on small packets of cigarettes.
The government has accused manufacturers of the alcopops drinks of deliberately targeting the under-18 age group.
Officials have pointed to the sweetened beverages as causing a dramatic rise in the number of young people being admitted to hospitals for alcohol poisoning.
According to one survey, every second alcopop drink is bought illegally by a person under 18 years of age.
Source: AAP
The measures include increased taxes on sweet alcoholic drinks, known as �alcopops�, and a ban on small packets of cigarettes.
The government has accused manufacturers of the alcopops drinks of deliberately targeting the under-18 age group.
Officials have pointed to the sweetened beverages as causing a dramatic rise in the number of young people being admitted to hospitals for alcohol poisoning.
According to one survey, every second alcopop drink is bought illegally by a person under 18 years of age.
Source: AAP