Brumby's fresh plan to curb smoking rates

She said research shows displays sway two groups of people — those trying to quit smoking and young people. "If someone is trying to quit and they walk into a store, people will see cigarettes and feel the trigger to purchase it and give in to it."

Health authorities say eight out of 10 long-term smokers start as teenagers — tripling their chances of developing cancer compared with those who start smoking in their mid-20s — so it is vital to limit their temptation.

AMA Victoria president Dr Douglas Travis said arts projects featuring smoking undermined other government efforts to reduce smoking rates.

"What it serves to do is to create the image that smoking is normal, smoking is cool, all of those things we've been trying to get away from," Dr Travis said.

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