The Australian Greens have welcomed the introduction of plain packaging on cigarettes which passed through the Senate this week.
Greens’ spokesperson for health, Senator Richard Di Natale said the move will begin better tobacco control for Australia.
"Plain packaging reform is an important public health initiative and an historic achievement in tobacco control," she said.
"As a doctor, I witnessed the devastation of cigarettes first-hand.
“In fact tonight I will be administering lung tests on other MPs as part of the Australian Lung Foundation’s ‘show us your lungs’ campaign."
Lung and throat cancer are two of Australia’s leading causes of deaths, and Natele believes the changes to legislation will start to fix that.
"Every Australian has had their lives touched by the scourge of tobacco in some way,” she said.
“We must take every possible measure to reduce the burden of harm that tobacco inflicts on our society.
"The only thing that will prevent the passage of such important reform this week is the possible delaying tactics of the Coalition.
"Plain packaging is a reform that will save lives – it cannot wait.
"I call on all the parties to give plain packaging a speedy passage through the Senate.