Victoria to ban sale of bongs

[YesUCannabis]

The sale of bongs will be banned in Victoria from next year under new laws to end confusion about cannabis use.

While cannabis is illegal to buy or use, its primary delivery device, a bong, is widely available for sale.

Ice pipes and cocaine kits are already banned from sale in Victoria.

From January 1, 2012, it will be illegal to display and sell bongs, bong components and bong kits, Mental Health Minister Mary Wooldridge said.

She said research indicated that cannabis use is associated with the increased risk of developing mental illness.

Ms Wooldridge said the legislation to be introduced into state parliament this week would correct a long-standing contradiction in Victorian law that has sent a "dangerous" message that cannabis is a soft drug.

"The changes being introduced into parliament will bring Victoria's position on cannabis smoking paraphernalia in line with other states, which all have some restrictions in place," Ms Wooldridge said.

Police will also enforce restrictions on the display of traditional hookahs, or water pipes, that look similar to bongs and are used to smoke tobacco.