Under a new federal anti-cancer plan, internet tobacco advertising will be curbed and anyone ordering cigarettes online will have to prove their age.

The Australian government has pledged to plug anti-smoking loopholes that can be exploited by cigarette companies since graphic photographs of cancer victims on cigarette packages do not appear on tobacco websites, nor on overseas-made products. Federal Ageing Minister Christopher Pyne, who also has responsibility for the regulation of tobacco products, revealed the Commonwealth Tobacco Advertising and Prohibition Act would be amended to include the internet and overseas products. The minister also urged the states to clamp down on minors who are able to buy cigarettes without proving their age.