Scientists Call For Stricter Controls on Tobacco Products

Scientists are calling for the federal government to adopt stricter controls around nicotine after the federal government banned recreational vaping.

This comes after Health Minister Mark Butler announced on May 1 a massive new smoking crackdown, emphasising that vapes, which were introduced as therapeutic products, have now become the “biggest loophole in Australian healthcare history.”

“Vaping was sold to governments and communities around the world as a therapeutic product to help long-term smokers quit,” he said.

“It was not sold as a recreational product, especially not one for our kids. But that is what it has become: The biggest loophole in Australian history.”

University of Queensland (UQ) Prof. Coral Gartner from UQ’s School of Public Health has called on the federal government to consider looking at the disparities in the regulation of nicotine vaping products (NVPs) versus tobacco products.

“There are currently no plans to reduce the availability of tobacco cigarettes,” Gartner said.“A more holistic approach would be to also restrict how and where tobacco can be sold, with a plan for eventually making Australia a smoke-free country.”

Gartner told the UQ News that many people were unwilling to comply with regulations around nicotine vaping, and retailers were still continuing to sell the products under the counter, including to children.

The law was intended to support people trying to quit smoking while also protecting young people from taking up vaping,” said Gartner.

“But youth vaping has continued to rise.

“Many consumers feel it makes no sense having greater restrictions on e-cigarettes compared to tobacco products.

“There is also insufficient enforcement of the law, leading to what the Therapeutic Goods Administration has described as ‘widespread non-compliance among consumers.”

Gartner suggests that the best way to achieve a smoke-free Australia is to consult with those who have lived experience with nicotine addiction.

“The best way to reduce youth vaping and achieve a smoke-free Australia is to have meaningful consultation with those who have lived experience,” said Gartner.

The New Ban on Vaping

The new plan presented by the Health Minister will prohibit the importation of the non-pharmaceutical NVPs, and they will only be possible to purchase from pharmacies and with a prescription.

In addition, according to the new law, the non-prescription vapes that are disposable will be banned, and the volumes, flavours and packaging are to be changed, with the latter becoming plain and with warning labels.

The new smoking regulation package allots $234 million (US$156 million), of which $63 million will be allocated for a public health campaign to discourage Australians from vaping, $30 million for programs to help people quit the habit, and $140 million for a program to help indigenous people stop smoking and vaping.

The government is calling on the state and territories to join efforts in stopping the sale of vapes in both retail and convenience stores, as well as to make it easier for health professionals to prescribe vapes for therapeutic purposes only.

Another measure is to target the growing black market of vapes and increase the standards of the product, especially its flavours, colours and packaging.

Why Is Nicotine Bad For Our Health

Nicotine, a naturally occurring chemical found in tobacco plants, is known to have negative effects on health.

It is highly addictive, making it difficult for individuals to quit smoking or using other nicotine products, as it activates the reward pathways in the brain, leading to dependence and cravings.

Nicotine increases heart rate, blood pressure and constricts blood vessels, which can strain the cardiovascular system, and prolonged nicotine use raises the risk of heart disease, stroke, and other cardiovascular disorders.

Smoking or vaping nicotine can lead to respiratory issues because it irritates and damages the lung tissues, causing chronic bronchitis, coughing, wheezing, and increasing the risk of respiratory infections.

While nicotine itself is not carcinogenic, it is often consumed through smoking, which exposes the body to numerous harmful chemicals that are a major cause of lung, throat, mouth, and esophageal cancers, among others. It also contributes to oral health problems such as gum disease, tooth discolouration, bad breath, and tooth loss because it reduces blood flow to the gums, impairs healing, and increases the risk of infections.

Nicotine can have adverse effects on fertility, pregnancy, and fetal development, as it increases the risk of infertility, miscarriages, premature birth, and low birth weight.

Most worryingly, for many Australian teens who have experienced nicotine exposure, the substance can harm brain development and lead to long-term cognitive and behavioural issues. It also can increase the vulnerability to other substance addictions since it may alter the brain’s reward system, making individuals more prone to seeking pleasure and becoming dependent on other drugs.

Quitting Can be Hard

It is important to note that there are nicotine replacement therapies (NRTs), such as patches or gum, that can be helpful in quitting smoking by gradually reducing nicotine dependence while avoiding the harmful effects of smoking.

There are also multiple government-funded resources like the Quit website, which offers advice and a 24-call line on 13 78 48 to help Australians quit the use of nicotine products.