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Saturday, January 02, 2010 » 12:26pm
The sale of marijuana smoking implements will be banned if the coalition wins the Victorian state election.
The sale of marijuana smoking implements will be banned if the coalition wins the Victorian state election, Opposition Leader Ted Baillieu has announced.
Mr Baillieu said Victoria was the only state in Australia to not restrict the sale of bongs, and a ban would reduce the harm caused to families by cannabis.
'Cannabis is a dangerous drug which causes serious mental and physical damage to many Victorians every year,' he said.
'As long as John Brumby allows bongs to be sold freely at more than 100 outlets across the state, Victoria's young people and families will continue to suffer from the damaging effects of cannabis.
'Victorians can't trust a government that claims it is tough on drugs yet won't take this important step to reduce drug use.'
Mr Baillieu said research showed cannabis was a gateway drug for more dangerous illicit drugs, with most heroin and cocaine users first experimenting with cannabis.
He said the coalition would amend the Drugs, Poisons and Controlled Substances Act to restrict the sale of bongs, and Consumer Affairs Victoria inspectors would be responsible for policing the ban.
Mr Baillieu said a coalition government would also provide information and education about the harmful affects of cannabis.
An election is due to be held in November.
A manager at the Off Ya Tree bong store in Melbourne's Swanston Street said he was not allowed to comment.
Comment is being sought from the state government.
http://bigpondnews.com/articles/Health/2010/01/02/Coalition_pledges_bong_ban_413048.html
The sale of marijuana smoking implements will be banned if the coalition wins the Victorian state election.
The sale of marijuana smoking implements will be banned if the coalition wins the Victorian state election, Opposition Leader Ted Baillieu has announced.
Mr Baillieu said Victoria was the only state in Australia to not restrict the sale of bongs, and a ban would reduce the harm caused to families by cannabis.
'Cannabis is a dangerous drug which causes serious mental and physical damage to many Victorians every year,' he said.
'As long as John Brumby allows bongs to be sold freely at more than 100 outlets across the state, Victoria's young people and families will continue to suffer from the damaging effects of cannabis.
'Victorians can't trust a government that claims it is tough on drugs yet won't take this important step to reduce drug use.'
Mr Baillieu said research showed cannabis was a gateway drug for more dangerous illicit drugs, with most heroin and cocaine users first experimenting with cannabis.
He said the coalition would amend the Drugs, Poisons and Controlled Substances Act to restrict the sale of bongs, and Consumer Affairs Victoria inspectors would be responsible for policing the ban.
Mr Baillieu said a coalition government would also provide information and education about the harmful affects of cannabis.
An election is due to be held in November.
A manager at the Off Ya Tree bong store in Melbourne's Swanston Street said he was not allowed to comment.
Comment is being sought from the state government.
http://bigpondnews.com/articles/Health/2010/01/02/Coalition_pledges_bong_ban_413048.html

