The Minister for Health, Michelle O'Byrne, today repeated calls for Liberal MLC Vanessa Goodwin to put the health of children ahead of the health of the Liberal Party's bank account.

Ms O'Byrne said Dr Goodwin spoke passionately in Parliament during the week about the need to do everything possible to discourage children from taking up smoking - yet her Party point-blank refuses to say no to accepting political donations from cigarette companies.

"Dr Goodwin said: 'It is a frightening thought that there are children out there who are taking up this habit . . . I agree that we have to do everything that we can to prevent people taking up smoking'.

"Dr Goodwin has that chance today at the Liberal State Conference - to send a message to big tobacco that they can no longer shove money at a Liberal Party which has failed to develop any sort of policy aimed at reducing smoking rates.

"In the absence of genuine leadership on this issue from Will Hodgman, Dr Goodwin must step up and act on what she clearly believes strongly in.

"Dr Goodwin must stop hiding behind the Liberal Party spin that electoral laws are somehow more compelling than a serious health issue that kills 500 Tasmanians every year and costs our State $900 million annually," Ms O'Byrne said.