So, I’ve decided to create (another) new topic about this because it is part of the same issue but quite separate in the fact that:
If this legislation passes - there will be no Retail Sale or manufacturing of Vape products in Australia, nothing, no mods, coils, juice or flavours that are branded as a vaping product
It seems that very few people seem to have any interest in the fact that this is going to be the outcome and what effect the setting of this precedent could affect Vaping in the entirety of the World (in particular the Western world). Now maybe I’m being a bit dramatic but in the current political climate, am I really?
I’m hoping that after Easter, some noise will be made (and it will reach a crescendo) and that some further guidance on the particulars of what we should address will be forthcoming but…
If you know of anyone (yes I mean you too!) who can make a submission addressing the points below - please do…
Points to cover in your submission: (as per Dr Colin Mendelsohn)
How to minimise youth vaping
What is working overseas?
Impact on smoking, black market
If this is your first time submitting online to an inquiry you will need to create a My Parliament log in.
Anyone can lodge a submission, you will need to provide name, address, phone number as required fields, if you live overseas the country can be changed to your specific country. This information is not published. Only detail personal information in the submission if you are happy to have it published.
It is easier to login first and then click the link to the submission page below - it will take you straight to the submission itself.
Further information on making a submission is located here:
MARK BUTLER HAS INTRODUCED his vaping Bill to Parliament. If I were a member of Parliament, I would oppose the Bill. The current regulatory model has failed and will only get worse with the proposed changes. Here are 7 reasons why a new approach is needed.
1. Youth vaping has skyrocketed
The current illegal markets make it easier, not harder, for teens to access vapes, because there are no restrictions on who can buy them. Underage users have easy access to unlabelled, high-nicotine, unregulated products. One in ten 14-17-year-olds in Australia are currently vaping, and the number is rapidly increasing, creating alarm for parents and teachers. Vaping is much less harmful than smoking but it is not risk-free. There is concern about young people developing nicotine addiction.
2. Control by criminal networks
Australia’s de facto ban has handed control of the vaping market to criminal networks. Ninety percent of adult vapers purchase their products from illegal sources. This has led to an escalating turf war with nearly 60 firebombings of tobacco and vape shops so far, public executions and extortion. Organised crime groups are recruiting vulnerable kids to commit crimes.
Minister Butler says the black market for vapes is” funding the criminal activities of organised crime gangs, drug trafficking, sex trafficking and the like”.
History has shown that intensive enforcement and border control efforts have minimal long-term impact on the availability of drugs in the community if demand is strong and controls are easy to overcome.
Under the current Bill, the legal retail vape and manufacturing industry will be forced to close, leading to loss of employment and bankruptcies.
However, a legal vaping industry will generate substantial economic benefits. These include a taxation windfall, substantial savings in healthcare and compliance costs, reduced GP visits and reduced smoking cessation treatment costs.
It will also stimulate the economy and create manufacturing and export opportunities. A report from the UK below outlines the financial benefits.
The current policy makes it much harder for adult smokers to legally access a far less harmful alternative to smoking than to purchase deadly cigarettes. Very few doctors are willing to prescribe nicotine liquid and only a handful of pharmacies are willing to dispense it. However, cigarettes are available from up to 40,000 retail outlets.
This pathway is onerous and costly for patients and has been rejected by over 90% of adult vapers. It undoubtedly means that some smokers will continue smoking instead of switching to the safer alternative.
5. Unregulated products
Australia has quality and safety standards for legal vaping products (TGO 110). However, under the current regulatory model, 90% of products are supplied by the black market and are completely unregulated, exposing users to greater risk.
6. A lost opportunity for public health
Vaping is the most effective and most popular quitting aid for smokers. In countries where vaping is readily accessible, the decline in smoking rates is faster than in countries like Australia where access to vapes is difficult.
In New Zealand, for example, adult smoking declined by an unprecedented 53.1% from 2019-2023 and the decline has been greatest in the younger adult age groups with the highest vaping rate. In Australia, smoking declined by 25% during the same period. At least some of this decline appears to be due to illegal vapes replacing smoking.
Modelling studies have estimated that the overall public health benefits of vaping are considerably greater than the risks, even when modelling the impact of an increase in youth vaping.
The Australian public does not support the current prohibitive approach. A recent Redbridge Survey found that 84% of adults agree/strongly agree that “Nicotine vaping products should only be available through licensed retail outlets to adults”.
Conclusion
The reality is that vaping is here to stay whether we like it or not and it needs to be regulated better.
A better regulatory model is for nicotine vaping products to be sold as adult consumer products from licensed retail outlets with strict age verification, like tobacco and alcohol. This will gradually eliminate the black market, reduce access for youth, provide regulated products for adult smokers and generate tax and other revenue.
Public health policy should be based on a population risk-assessment. A more evidence-based, harm reduction approach which is proportionate to risk will lead to better outcomes for public health for the whole population, at no cost to the public purse.
I know I’m biased but isn’t it refreshing to read an MPs thoughts that don’t just jump on the current bandwagon and demonize everything vaping and all those that do.
One could be cynical and say she’s just expressing an opposing view with the agenda of chasing votes but I honestly am of the opinion that her comments are truthful.
With more people in power such as Dr. Webster who have the conviction to publicly state such words there could be some hope that the July 1st lunacy could be diluted somewhat at least.
When I contacted my local member (who is labor) I waited weeks for any response at all and when it did arrive it was basically cut and pasted from “Health” Minister Butler’s playbook. I doubt if she even read my email and it eventually made its way to the top of the pile and was dealt with by one of her minions. It certainly wasn’t herself who even signed the reply but an assistant of some sort with a title that matched.
I was asked by my union before the last election to help on polling day handing out leaflets etc as you walk into the polling booths. I actually couldn’t due to family commitments but if I’m asked next time it’ll be a very short and probably expletive laden response.
I honestly hope labor get well and truly rearmed at the next election which is something I never thought I’d say.
Agreed mate. I find it interesting that it seems only the Nationals actually have a positive view on this subject. Both the major parties just toe the party line and don’t give a rats about the actual electorates they “serve”.
It is refreshing Gazza, I was surprised with the reply and her speech to parliament.
I do think that the Nationals (although aligned with the Liberals and part of the Coalition) are simply more aware of issues that are relevant to rural Australia.
Dr Webster is very aware of the failure of rural healthcare, particularly in Victoria (our closest GP that consults in the town is supplied by a practice from SA and the closest major"ish" town in Victoria has no GP’s, only locums).
This vaping legislation will simply put so much more pressure on the Dr’s that are here. Lots of people wont even try vaping if they have to see a doctor coz there ain’t one to see!
I contacted 10 in total, Dr Webster was the only one to respond, all the rest just acknowledged receipt. I replied to her email and told her this too - it’s shit and no wonder people don’t bother voting properly.
