Australia to ban import of disposable vapes, citing “disturbing” improve in youth dependancy
Sydney — Australia will ban imports of disposable vapes from Jan. 1, the federal government mentioned Tuesday, slamming the units as leisure merchandise addicting youngsters. The block on single-use vapes is aimed toward reversing a “disturbing” improve in vaping amongst younger individuals, Well being Minister Mark Butler mentioned.
Australia first revealed the import ban in Could however had not given a begin date till now.
Vaping had been offered to governments as a device to assist long-term people who smoke give up, Butler mentioned.
“It was not sold as a recreational product, especially not one targeted to our kids, but that is what it has become,” the minister mentioned. “The great majority of vapes contain nicotine, and children are becoming addicted.”
About one in seven youngsters aged 14-17 makes use of vapes, the federal government mentioned in a press release. It cited “consistent evidence” that younger Australians who vape are about 3 times extra more likely to take up tobacco smoking.
Laws will even be launched in 2024 to outlaw the manufacture, promoting or provide of disposable vapes in Australia, the federal government mentioned.
The import ban was hailed by the Australian Medical Affiliation.
“Australia has been a world leader in reducing smoking rates and the subsequent health harms, so the government’s decisive action to stop vaping in its tracks and prevent further harm is very welcome,” mentioned affiliation president Steve Robson.
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The federal government mentioned it was additionally introducing a scheme to allow medical doctors and nurses to prescribe vapes “where clinically appropriate” from Jan. 1.
Australia’s anti-smoking battle
Australia has a protracted document of combating smoking.
In 2012, it grew to become the primary nation to introduce “plain packaging” legal guidelines for cigarettes — a coverage since copied by France, Britain and others.
Excessive taxes have pushed up the value of a packet to about Aus$50 (about $33).
For some individuals who would in any other case by no means have smoked, vaping is a “dangerous gateway” to tobacco, mentioned Kim Caudwell, senior lecturer in psychology at Australia’s Charles Darwin College.
“So you can understand how at the population level, increased vaping and a resurgence of tobacco use will impact population health in the future.”
Neighboring New Zealand till just lately stood alongside Australia on the forefront of the battle in opposition to smoking.
However its new conservative coalition authorities, which took energy this week, has now promised to scrap a so-called “generational smoking ban” that might have stopped gross sales of tobacco to anybody born after 2008.
“I was absolutely shocked and appalled. It is one of the worst days I can remember for public health,” College of Otago tobacco management skilled Richard Edwards instructed AFP. “It is public health vandalism.”
