Greens’ Efforts Pay Off as New Vaping Laws are Relaxed
Health advocates emphasize the importance of diluted laws given the severity of the trend.
The Greens have successfully negotiated amendments to the Therapeutic Goods and Other Legislation Amendment (Vaping Reforms) Bill 2024 that will relax incoming vaping laws.
The initial bill proposed a prescription-only model requiring vapes to have a doctor’s approval, but the Greens advocated for changes.
Under the new agreement, vapes will be available without a prescription for adults over 18 with no data collection on purchases.
Individuals under 18 can access vapes with a doctor’s certificate only.
According to the Greens’ amendments, possession of personal use quantities will not lead to criminal charges with an eight-month grace period in place.
More than 400,000 Australian teenagers reported vaping at least once a month in the past year, according to the Cancer Council.
New modeling by the health body indicates that an additional 1,185 youths aged between 12 and 19 may start vaping each week if the government does not halt the retail sale of vapes and e-cigarettes.
Greens Deny Watering Down Legislation
Greens spokesman for health, Senator Jordon Steele-John, denied that the party watered down legislation, emphasizing concerns about increased vaping rates among children.
Professor Yuben Moodley, deputy director at Australia’s Institute for Respiratory Health, warned against the negative impact of vaping on the progress made against tobacco smoking.
Mr. Moodley highlighted online and social media as avenues through which young people access vaping devices.
Australian Medical Association President Steve Robson cautioned that laws against selling vape products to young people might not be effective if older Australians pass them on.
The Pharmacy Guild opposed making vapes a pharmacy product, citing limited evidence of their effectiveness in helping people quit smoking and long-term risks like cancer, lung scarring, and nicotine addiction.
Bill Not Perfect, But Necessary: Health Bodies
The Cancer Council urged acceptance of the bill, emphasizing the urgency to prevent youth from falling into nicotine addiction and harm.
The Lung Foundation CEO acknowledged significant amendments by the Greens and stressed the importance of the bill in reducing vaping rates among young people despite not being perfect.
