Vaping is back in the news as fresh statistics show that $6.8 million is needed to combat this dangerous habit.
According to ongoing research by NSW Health, the newest “craze” is not only very dangerous but also causes long-term addiction.
Indeed, there is compelling information currently available showing that nonsmokers who use vapes or e-cigarettes have a three times higher chance of eventually starting to smoke regular tobacco cigarettes than those who have never vaped.
Nicotine may aggravate stress, depression, and anxiety in young individuals as well as alter brain development and learning and memory.
According to recent research from the University of Wollongong, vapes are loaded with harmful substances including nicotine and other compounds that are known to be harmful to health.
NSW Health inspectors launched a focused campaign to crack down on illegal vapes the week of September 5, 2023.
23,247 vaping devices with a street value of more than $695, 000 were taken during these operations.
322 vapes that were turned in by students at Sydney schools and 428 vapes that were taken from merchants made up the sample.
Of the 750 vaping devices examined for this study, 737 had high nicotine concentrations found in them, and the majority did not indicate nicotine as an active ingredient.
The Therapeutic Goods Administration has prohibited harmful substances like ethylene glycol, which is also included in antifreeze, from being used in vapes that contain nicotine. This means that thirty of the devices had at least one ingredient that is known to be harmful to health.
The NSW Government has decided to take action against the illicit vape industry and has committed $6.8 million over three years as a result of the results.
According to studies from the University of Wollongong, there is no such thing as a safe vape because you never know what’s in them.
This is particularly true for kids, who are exposed to higher and higher doses of nicotine and, in certain situations, proven harmful chemicals.
More people are turning to health professionals for assistance with vaping-related health issues as more vapes become available.
Going ahead, the state will invest $4.3 million over the next three years to strengthen enforcement and compliance, ensuring that it fulfils its obligations for production, distribution, retail, and medicinal controls on vaping goods.
Over the following year, at least $2.5 million will be allocated to expanding services to assist young people in quitting.
Along with expanding compliance and monitoring efforts around the state, NSW Health will also not hold back when it comes to punishing businesses who sell nicotine vapes unlawfully.
As of right now, NSW is expected to seize twice as many illegal vape pens in 2022.
NSW Health seized a record 187,000 goods between January 1 and June 30, 2023, compared to 61,000 over the same period the previous year.
With an estimated street value of more than $11.8 million, NSW Health carried out over 5000 inspections between January 1, 2022, and June 30, 2023, seizing about 369,000 nicotine vapes and e-liquids.
Retailers who are charged with selling vapes with nicotine risk harsh penalties, such as up to six months in jail.
If you are struggling with any of the issues mentioned in this article, please contact us, and we will try to help in any way we can.