The Australian Government has today introduced to Parliament The Therapeutic Goods and Other Legislation Amendment (Vaping Reforms) Bill 2024 which bans the importation, manufacture, supply and commercial possession of disposable single use and non-therapeutic vapes.
Available to comment:
Associate Professor Johnson George, Centre for Medicine Use and Safety, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences
Contact details: +61 (0) 434 439 231 or johnson.george@monash.edu
- How efforts now need to be directed toward helping teenagers who have become dependent on vapes and tobacco cigarettes.
- For all ages, when it comes to smoking, vaping should not be the go-to smoking cessation strategy in the management of nicotine dependence.
- How restrictions on availability of vape products will help to improve the situation.
The following can be attributed to Associate Professor George:
“The Federal Government’s crackdown on vaping is very welcome and encouraging news, however we now have a new generation of teenagers who have fallen victim to nicotine addiction and will need support to give it up.”
“Efforts will now need to be directed toward improving access to subsidised, evidence-based treatments for vaping cessation with management support from healthcare professionals including local pharmacists, nurse practitioners and general practitioners who are qualified to assist in combating vaping and tobacco smoking dependence and withdrawal symptoms.”
“Vaping is highly addictive and has become extremely prevalent, particularly among teenagers. However, no matter how old you are, vaping should not be the go-to solution as an evidence-based smoking cessation strategy in the management of nicotine dependence.”
