Changes to legislation around vaping sees varied opinions – The Macleay Argus

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From October 1 this year, the federal government is changing industry legalisation to see nicotine e-cigarettes only accessible via a prescription. This includes importing vapes and vape products from overseas, however, Lung Foundation Australia is calling for a nationwide ban on vaping. Chief executive Mark Brooke said vaping is an issue that we as a country, should let get away from us. "People shouldn't be sucked into the hype of vaping," he said. The foundation has a new resource, called Unveil What You Inhale, urging young people to consider the research and information in order to make better decisions about their health. However, there are groups that see the new legislation as a step back for the reduction of smoking in society. Australian Tobacco Harm Reduction Association chairman Joe Kosterich banning vaping would not work. "Complete bans don't work. It's going to make life harder for smokers who are trying to quit and a lot of people that vape will go back to smoking or buy products from the black market," he said. "We don't want to put barriers in the way of people wanting an alternative to smoking." Mr Kosterich says the message from ATHRA is that vaping is a tool to reduce the harm and death toll of smoking in Australia. "We are not advocating for those who have never vaped before to start," he said. State Health Minister Jeremy Rockliff said his the government's stance is that they will not be changing the strict rules around e-cigarettes. "They are addictive and have the potential to reverse recent gains made to reduce the smoking rate in our state and 're-normalise' smoking within the community, which is unacceptable risk," Mr Rockcliff said. Tasmanian Clinical Respiratory Scientist, Dr Sukwinder Sohal, has done extensive research and believes vapes are not safe. "Vapes are marketed as better value, better tasting and better for you than cigarettes and this is just not true. They are very toxic," Dr Sohal said. A study by Curtin University tested the chemical and toxicity of 52 flavoured vape e-liquids for over the counter sale in Australia. The data showed that 100 per cent of the products were labelled incorrectly and 21 per cent contained nicotine despite this being illegal in Australia. Mr Brooke said the new campaign and push for a ban on vaping was not to criticise those who are trying to quit smoking and using vaping as an alternative. "It's super hard to quit smoking and we are not saying this to demonise smokers," he said.

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September 24 2021 - 8:00AM

From October 1 this year, the federal government is changing industry legalisation to see nicotine e-cigarettes only accessible via a prescription.

This includes importing vapes and vape products from overseas, however, Lung Foundation Australia is calling for a nationwide ban on vaping.

Chief executive Mark Brooke said vaping is an issue that we as a country, should let get away from us.

"People shouldn't be sucked into the hype of vaping," he said.

The foundation has a new resource, called Unveil What You Inhale, urging young people to consider the research and information in order to make better decisions about their health.

However, there are groups that see the new legislation as a step back for the reduction of smoking in society.

Australian Tobacco Harm Reduction Association chairman Joe Kosterich banning vaping would not work.

"Complete bans don't work. It's going to make life harder for smokers who are trying to quit and a lot of people that vape will go back to smoking or buy products from the black market," he said.

"We don't want to put barriers in the way of people wanting an alternative to smoking."

Mr Kosterich says the message from ATHRA is that vaping is a tool to reduce the harm and death toll of smoking in Australia.

"We are not advocating for those who have never vaped before to start," he said.

State Health Minister Jeremy Rockliff said his the government's stance is that they will not be changing the strict rules around e-cigarettes.

"They are addictive and have the potential to reverse recent gains made to reduce the smoking rate in our state and 're-normalise' smoking within the community, which is unacceptable risk," Mr Rockcliff said.

Tasmanian Clinical Respiratory Scientist, Dr Sukwinder Sohal, has done extensive research and believes vapes are not safe.

"Vapes are marketed as better value, better tasting and better for you than cigarettes and this is just not true. They are very toxic," Dr Sohal said.

A study by Curtin University tested the chemical and toxicity of 52 flavoured vape e-liquids for over the counter sale in Australia.

The data showed that 100 per cent of the products were labelled incorrectly and 21 per cent contained nicotine despite this being illegal in Australia.

Mr Brooke said the new campaign and push for a ban on vaping was not to criticise those who are trying to quit smoking and using vaping as an alternative.

"It's super hard to quit smoking and we are not saying this to demonise smokers," he said.

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Changes to legislation around vaping sees varied opinions - The Macleay Argus