In 2020, Australia’s Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt had announced a measure banning the importation of vape liquid containing nicotine. A few months later the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) announced their final decision on the measure, “..the importation of nicotine e-cigarettes and liquid nicotine for vaping will require a doctor’s prescription.” Moreover, as of October 2021 vapers in Australia are only able to purchase vaping products from pharmacies via prescription.
Sadly local data keep indicating that these harsh restrictions have just fed the local black market, but despite this, local doctors believe that further restrictions should be set in place. “Why are they even a thing?” said Australian Medical Association vice-president Chris Moy. “They are the pinnacle of aggressive, scary, malicious marketing to children.”
The benefit of incorporating vapes in smoking cessation strategies
On the other-hand, science keeps indicating the benefit of incorporating the products as part of local tobacco harm reduction and smoking cessation strategies. In fact the local smoking rates, which currently stand at 11% are a clear indicator of the shortfall of Australia’s tobacco control strategy, when compared to those of neighboring New Zealand, which are at 8%. In fact, vaping is a key part of NZ’s Smokefree Aotearoa 2025 Action Plan.
Even without the planned anti-smoking measures, the benefit of vaping has been clearly demonstrated in New Zealand, as the national smoking rate has dropped from 13.7% to 10.9% after the Vape Bill was set in place, making it clear that New Zealand’s regulations are effective.
Read Further: The Sydney Morning Herald
