Importing single-use vapes into Australia will be banned from Jan. 1, 2024, as part of the federal government’s effort to stop nicotine addiction in children.
About one in seven teens (14-17 years old) and one in five young adults (18-24 years old) currently vape, according to the government’s latest data from the first quarter of 2023.
Strong evidence shows that young people who vape are about three times more likely to start tobacco smoking compared to those who have never vaped.
Health Minister Mark Butler stressed the importance of “tough” new import controls due to nicotine dependence in children threatening Australia’s success in tobacco control.
“The great majority of vapes contain nicotine, and children are becoming addicted. Vaping is a gateway to smoking, and smoking remains the leading preventable cause of death and disease in Australia. Smoking continues to kill approximately 20,000 Australians every year,” he said.
He added that vaping was initially sold to governments and communities around the world as a therapeutic product to help long-term smokers quit.
Related Stories
“It was not sold as a recreational product—especially not one targeted to our kids, but that is what it has become,” Mr. Butler said.
Public health researcher Mandy Truong said stress and anxiety contribute to vape addiction among young people.
“What that means is people who have depressive symptoms are more likely to try vaping or continue vaping for a long period of time,” she told ABC News.
However, she said vaping worsens depression and anxiety and even suicide-related behaviour.
Regulating Vape Production, Advertising, Supply, Possession
In further measures to manage youth vaping, the government will make laws to control vape production, advertising, supply, and possession next year.Vape standards will be improved, including limits on flavours, lower nicotine concentrations, and the need for pharmaceutical packaging.
Meanwhile, medical practitioners and nurse practitioners will be able to prescribe vapes starting Jan. 1.
The vaping reforms are part of a joint effort between all Australian health and police ministers.
Last week, the ministers instructed officials to create a national enforcement framework to eliminate illegal vapes in the community and prevent the emergence of illicit markets.
It was agreed that a National Vaping Working Group would be established to oversee the national enforcement framework.
ABF to Detect, Seize, and Destroy Vapes
The government also allocated $25 million (US$16.5 million) to the Australian Border Force (ABF) and $56.9 million to the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) for additional enforcement measures.Home Affairs Minister Clare O’Neil said the ABF will take targeted action to stem the flow of vapes at the border.
“As our first line of defence, the ABF will detect, seize, and destroy vape products under a new border control measure,” she said.
She said reducing the amount of vapes in the community required a multifaceted approach across enforcement, all levels of government, and better education around the harmful impact of vaping.
Therefore, the 2023-24 Budget also allocated $29.5 million to enhance and expand support services for people looking to quit vaping and smoking.
This involves funding for better access to Quitline services, establishing an online quitting hub, updating clinical guidance for health practitioners, and redesigning the My Quit Buddy app.
‘Deep-Pocketed’ Multi-National Tobacco Industry Hindering Rule Changes, Warns Health Official
The proposed reforms, set to be introduced to the Senate on Nov. 28, will modernise the current legislation that dates back to 1991.The Public Health Association of Australia CEO Prof Terry Slevin told ABC Radio that the update took 33 years because the tobacco industry worked hard to delay reforms.
“We can never forget that there’s a very, very deep-pocketed multi-national [tobacco] industry whose profits ... rely very heavily upon nicotine addicts ... and they work very, very hard to avoid any change in the rules,” he said.
“They continue to fund, for example, the National Party, which remains a complete disgrace,” he said.
University of Sydney tobacco control expert Professor Becky Freeman added the tobacco industry exploited the distraction caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, which diverted attention from vaping-related issues.
“Tobacco, alcohol, gambling, and fast food industry players have been quick to seize the opportunity to exploit this lack of focus,” she said.
Still, Mr. Slevin and Ms. Freeman were optimistic the new reforms would pass in parliament this week.
