CANBERRA – The Australian government decided today to take strong action to reduce smoking and stamp out vaping, particularly among young people through stronger legislation, enforcement, education and support, reported Xinhua.
Health Minister Mark Butler said the government would fund a number of measures to protect Australians against the harm caused by tobacco and vaping products.
Under the reforms, the sale of e-cigarettes, also known as vapes, in retail and convenience stores will be shut down.
The importation of non-prescription vapes will be banned and the flavours, colours and ingredients including nicotine concentration will be heavily regulated.
All disposable single-use e-cigarettes will also be banned.
The government will make it easier for people to get prescriptions for legitimate therapeutic reasons such as using e-cigarettes to quit smoking.
Butler said as governments at all levels work to stamp out the growing black market in illegal vaping products, measures will also be needed to prevent young people from trading their vapes for cigarettes.
He cited research that found young people who use e-cigarettes are three times more likely to take up smoking.
“Vaping was sold to governments and communities around the world as a therapeutic product to help long-term smokers quit. It was not sold as a recreational product – especially not one targeted to our kids, but that is what it has become,” Butler said in a statement.
“These reform measures will help protect the health of Australians while reducing the pressure on our health system and critically it will help to achieve a reduction in smoking rates to 5% or less by 2030.”
The funding includes AU$63 million (RM188.5 million) for a public health campaign discouraging people from taking up smoking and vaping, and an extra AU$30 million for support services helping Australians quit. – Bernama, May 2, 2023
