Opposition leader Ted Baillieu said a Coalition government would ban the sale of bongs to reduce the harm to Victorian families caused by cannabis.

“Cannabis is a dangerous drug which causes serious mental and physical damage to many Victorians every year,” Mr Baillieu said.

“Banning the sale of bongs sends a clear message that cannabis is a dangerous and harmful substance,” he said.

The Victorian Government does not support a ban on bongs.

Instead, it will continue to focus on prevention, education and working closely with police around law enforcement a spokesman said.

Mr Ballieu highlighted the fact that Mental Health Council of Australia findings showed marijuana users were three times more likely to develop psychosis.

He said the report also found Victorian secondary school students who use cannabis weekly are five times more likely to harm themselves.

“As long as John Brumby allows bongs to be sold freely at more than 100 outlets across the state, Victoria’s young people and families will continue to suffer from the damaging effects of cannabis,” Mr Baillieu said.

“Victorians can’t trust a government that claims it is tough on drugs yet won’t take this important step to reduce drug use.”

Mr Baillieu said that when Mr Brumby was the opposition leader in 1996, he introduced a Private Members Bill to decriminalise cannabis.

A Government spokesman said Victoria was tough on drugs and had a focus on prevention, protecting young people and reducing demand and the uptake of illicit drugs. “In contrast, the Opposition has no comprehensive drugs policy and continues to tinker around the edge of this serious issue - addressing the symptoms and not the cause.

“Feedback we get from the community is that the issue is complex and difficult be

cause unlike ice pipes - which are banned in Victoria - some items are used to legally smoke tobacco.”

He said an internet education campaign that ran in 2009, about the dangers of cannabis use, had an incredible response with hundreds of hits per day.