Public health experts have welcomed the Senate’s passing of the vaping reform bill today, saying that the measures are a major advance in helping protect young people from a lifetime of nicotine addiction.
The Public Health Association of Australia, the country’s peak body for public health professionals, said that reforms restricting the commercial sale and promotion of e-cigarettes reflected the recommendations of Australia’s leading health and tobacco control experts.
“Minister for Health, Mark Butler, and his office should be recognised for their dedication to protecting the community’s health,” said Adjunct Professor Terry Slevin, the Association’s CEO.
“We also appreciate that he and other Members of Parliament and Senators listened to the concerns of teachers, parents and carers who’ve witnessed the explosion in e-cigarette use among young people in recent years, and the disruptions that vaping addiction has caused households and schools.
“The original bill as proposed by Minister Butler reflected the expert advice of Australia’s leading public health experts, and he took a strong stance.
“We acknowledge that the final bill has been altered during the political process, but the passage of the bill remains a very positive step.
“Importantly, the bill that has been passed closes key loopholes that have allowed unscrupulous businesses to sell lolly-flavoured and brightly-coloured nicotine vapes to teenagers and young people. The legislation passed today puts businesses profiting off addiction on notice.
“People addicted to cigarettes and nicotine will still be able to access e-cigarettes through pharmacies.
“Further reviews and evaluations of these reforms will allow us to continually improve vaping legislation. We anticipate the bill will pass through the lower house within the next 24 hours.
“The next step is to ensure the bill is effectively enforced, and ensure those who are addicted to nicotine, whether through cigarettes or e-cigarettes, get the support they need.
“We also need to stay focused on the ongoing destructive impact the tobacco and cigarette industry has on the health of people in Australia. Australia has taken unique action on vaping, but we need continual and ongoing government investment in a range of strategies to further reduce smoking and vaping rates. The fight against big tobacco, e-cigarettes and all other nicotine products, still has a long way to go.”
