Australia is banning recreational vaping, as part of a crackdown on what experts there call an “epidemic.”
They will also be introducing minimum quality standards, and restrict the sale of vapes to pharmacies.
Nicotine vapes currently require a prescription in Australia, but it’s poorly regulated and the black market is booming.
According to Health Minister Mark Butler, the black market products are creating a new generation of nicotine addicts.
In a speech announcing reforms, Butler said, “Just like they did with smoking… ‘Big Tobacco’ has taken another addictive product, wrapped it in shiny packaging and added sweet flavors to create a new generation of nicotine addicts.” He added, “we have been duped.”
Vapes are often considered safer than smoking traditional cigarettes, but that doesn’t make them safe. And Australia is facing an influx of young people starting to vape.
According to data, one in six Australians aged 14-17 has vaped. One in four people age 18-24.
Butler, who is 52, says that only 1 in 70 people his age have vaped; it’s an extraordinary and frightening acceleration. He accused the tobacco industry of deliberately targeting kids and making them easily available alongside “lollies and chocolate bars” in stores.
This is more about the government getting their cut from the market. We have to pay a doctor to get a prescription, then pay the pharmacy for the vape juice. All this will do is send it underground. I have never ever seen these vapes marketed to children alongside lollies. Scare tactics. Kids are ordering them online they are not getting them from vape stores. We already have rules that
only allow vape stores to sell non nicotine
Vapes to over 18 yr olds and everything is hidden in cupboards. I have been buying my stuff from from New Zealand. I’m sure boarderforce have more important things to do than bust vapers.