BAN THE BONG, URGES COUNCILLOR

A Toowoomba City councillor wants whoever wins Saturday's State
election to close a legal loophole allowing marijuana-smoking devices
to be sold in Queensland.

Cr Lyle Shelton said last night he had been approached by a number of
concerned citizens about local tobacconists prominently displaying
and selling 'bongs'.

"Marijuana's addictiveness, cancer-causing and brain-destroying
properties have meant it is an illegal drug in Queensland. The sale
of devices that promote its use should also be illegal," Cr Shelton
said.

"I am calling on the Labor Party and the Queensland Coalition to
commit before Saturday to changing the law so that marijuana is no
longer promoted as a legitimate drug through the sale of devices
designed for no other purpose but its consumption."

Former marijuana smoker Allan Maxwell backed Cr Shelton's comments.

"These devices are not ornaments or toys: they are specifically
designed for smoking marijuana," Mr Maxwell said.