TAS: Bacon steps down and tells Australia: don't smoke

AAP General News (Australia)
02-23-2004
TAS: Bacon steps down and tells Australia: don't smoke

By Libby Sutherland

HOBART, Feb 23 AAP - Jim Bacon told Australians "don't smoke" when he stood down as
Tasmanian premier today to battle inoperable lung cancer.

Flanked by wife Honey, Mr Bacon said he would immediately begin a one-month leave of
absence and resign from state politics after that time.

The ailing 53-year-old anointed Deputy Premier and Treasurer Paul Lennon as state's
new leader ahead of a vote by the Parliamentary Labor Party.

Mr Bacon, who has led the state for five-and-a-half years, told reporters he …