The AMA testified before a Senate committee this week that Australia must take advantage of the chance to shield the future generation from vaping addiction and cannot afford to fail our children.
All senators and members of parliament are urged by AMA President Professor Steve Robson and AMA NSW President Dr. Michael Bonning to oppose the vaping industry’s lobbying efforts aimed at thwarting the Vaping Reforms Bill 2024, which will outlaw the importation, production, distribution, commercial possession, and advertising of single-use, disposable vapes that are not intended for medical use.
A coordinated lobbying campaign by the vaping business has thwarted government efforts in 2020 to implement import prohibitions on vapes, Professor Robson told a Senate committee investigating the Bill.
The lobby for vaping achieved its goal. In order to safeguard the health of all Australians, especially children, we have come before you today to advocate the passage of these changes, he said.
We now have a chance to safeguard the health of Australia’s next generation. We cannot afford to pass up that chance.
The tobacco industry wants to make money off of young people who become addicted to vaping by making their products easily accessible, spreading false information about their safety, and using deceptive marketing techniques like flavouring and packaging to lure young people into vaping.
Unquestionably, vaping serves as a gateway for young Australians to start smoking cigarettes. There is compelling research that suggests vaping increases the likelihood of smoking among young people by three times.
Prescription vapes will still be available to patients through a general practitioner (GP) when clinically appropriate, as part of the government’s measures aimed at helping people give up smoking and vaping.
According to Professor Robson, the government’s reforms are cutting edge globally and will keep our kids from developing a nicotine addiction. Some groups are pursuing proposals that tax vapes similarly to tobacco, which would further entrench nicotine addiction and put revenue raising ahead of the health of our children.
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