Greens propose legalisation and regulation of nicotine vapes
Image: Greens MLC and spokesperson for health Cate Faehrmann (left), and Greens candidate for Sydney Nick Ward (right). Photo: Facebook/Cate Faehrmann.
By JASMINE SIMMONS
Health spokesperson and Greens MLC Cate Faehrmann, has proposed a plan to legalise nicotine vapes for Australian adults. The plan aims to reduce youth access to vapes via the black market, and target the harmful effects associated with e-cigarette devices.
The proposal outlines strategies to effectively reduce the negative impacts of vape consumption. The Greens regulations will include monitoring and reducing nicotine levels in vapes.
The Greens also propose requiring health warnings on all vaping products, similar to what currently exists on cigarettes, and establishing recycling systems to minimise waste caused by illegal vapes.
“Our plan would regulate nicotine vapes like any other tobacco product, with strict restrictions on advertising and nicotine content” Faehrmann said.
Regarding the waste crisis, Faehrmann said that the Greens will “make producers responsible for the end-of-life of these products and require retailers to operate ‘vape-waste’ disposal bins.”
Illegal vape market thrives, prohibition is failing says Greens MP
Australia currently has a ban on nicotine vapes, meaning they are only accessible through a doctor’s prescription. Ultimately, the limited access to vapes has contributed to the rise of the black market illegally selling vapes to young people.
“Prohibition has failed once again. Banning nicotine vapes has only created a thriving black market that gives children easy access to nicotine products,” said Faehrmann.
Faehrmann noted that while vaping is harmful for young people, it has has a notable effect on moving adults away from smoking.
“Nicotine vaping is legal and widely available in the UK, US, Canada, New Zealand and the European Union, where it has resulted in the reduction of adults smoking tobacco,” she said.
NSW Health says there isn’t enough clinical evidence to back vapes
The NSW Health website has published their stance on e-cigarettes, stating that currently there is not enough clinical evidence to support that e-cigarettes assist smokers in quitting tobacco.
NSW Health, via their website, has said that vapes “may expose users and bystanders to chemicals and toxins such as propylene glycol, glycerol or ethylene glycol”, increasing the risk of cardiovascular, cancer and respiratory diseases.
Dr Colin Mendelsohn is a member of the Smoking Cessation Guideline Expert Advisory Group and The Founding Chairman of the Australian Tobacco Harm Reduction Association. Through his research, Dr Mendelsohn is dedicated to raising awareness of low-risk nicotine products, that includes vapes and e-cigarettes.
“Tobacco cigarettes are the leading preventable cause of death and illness in Australia. Vaping products are not risk free, but they are substantially safer than smoking,” Dr Mendelsohn said.
“Tobacco smoke releases over 7000 toxic chemicals in high doses, whereas vapour produces around 100 chemicals in very low or trace doses”.
According to Dr Mendelsohn, vaping is considered the most effective quitting aid available for smokers, and has been proven more effective than nicotine replacement therapy.
“It is also the most popular quitting aid in Australia,” Dr Mendelsohn said.
Despite the current information listed on the NSW Health website, Dr Mendelsohn believes that the Greens vaping regulation plan presents way out for smokers who have been unable to quit tobacco to finally move away from cigarettes.
“It’s a huge opportunity for smokers who are unable or unwilling to quit.”
You May Also Like
