Read articles from Oceania

May 15, 2025 by yourlocalexaminer.com.au

Vapes and e-cigarettes are now banned in enclosed workplaces in Western Australia under updated safety laws. The regulations aim to protect workers from harmful vapours, treating vaping like tobacco smoking. The rules, covering general and mining workplaces, include heated tobacco products. Employers must have clear policies, designated outdoor areas, and consider specific risks, such as children's presence. The change reflects growing health concerns around vaping's dangers, including life-threatening illnesses and cancer from hazardous substances in e-cigarettes. The government's focus on worker safety is highlighted through these new laws.

May 09, 2025 by ajp.com.au

Pharmacy ordering company Pharmx has noted a significant increase in demand for nicotine vapes, with a nearly 500% rise in revenue from vapes in the third quarter compared to the same period last year. Availability of nicotine vapes is highlighted as a driving factor in the surge.

May 05, 2025 by westernstandard.news

Australia's tobacco excise revenue plummeted to $7.4 billion AUD this year from $16.3 billion AUD in 2019‑20, despite high taxes. Smokers turned to cheaper contraband due to tax hikes, leading to a 50% revenue drop in five years. Canadian authorities should pay attention as they increase taxes and regulations, resulting in a rise in vape store robberies across the country.

April 28, 2025 by theconversation.com

Cannabis vaping has become popular in Australia, particularly among young people using discreet devices like "penjamins" to vape cannabis oil. While cannabis vapes are illegal in Australia, illicit products are still available. The practice poses health risks, with high THC concentrations potentially leading to addiction, psychosis, and respiratory problems. Solvents and additives in cannabis vapes can also cause severe lung injuries. Comparing the risks of cannabis and nicotine vapes is complex, as both have different health implications, especially for young users.

April 24, 2025 by blogspot.com

An electronic cigarette researcher from Auckland University's Bio Engineering Institute is telling the public that when people use e-cigarettes, their lungs become coated with oil, leading to inflammation that eventually causes lung disease. According to an article in RNZ, the professor is quoted as stating: "Every time you vape, some of that will stay inside your lungs, so the e-liquids that are in vapes are sort of quite an oily substance. There'll be a lining of this oil that will stay inside your lungs and actually one of the things that is designed to get rid of that is the process of inflammation. It's when you have this inflammation occurring many times a day over many years, which is what leads to disease and tissue breakdown."

April 23, 2025 by rnz.co.nz

Four individuals involved in an illegal tobacco importing scheme in Gisborne were sentenced. Two men received home detention for defrauding Customs revenue and other charges, while an older couple was fined and ordered to pay court costs for their lesser roles. Customs discovered undeclared cigarettes and loose tobacco disguised as Chinese tea in airmail packages, totaling 306,200 cigarettes and 110kg of tobacco. The operation involved selling the goods in a restaurant. Customs' investigations led to the discovery of cash and tobacco products, resulting in charges under the Customs and Excise Act 2018. Customs Officer Bevan Cameron highlighted the significant duty evasion and fraud involved.

April 18, 2025 by eu-policies.com

Released in late March, Australia’s latest federal budget reveals a striking trend: tobacco excise tax revenue has nearly halved since 2019, with projected losses reaching A$10 billion (€5.6 billion) by 2029. Local media investigations over the past month have linked this growing budget deficit to the country’s booming tobacco and nicotine black markets, driven in large part by organised crime. Experts warn that this surge in illicit trade is an unintended consequence of Canberra’s overly restrictive vaping policies.

April 14, 2025 by phcc.org.nz

The Government aims for Smokefree 2025 but free vape kits may only help fewer than 500 quit smoking. Achieving the goal requires over 82,000 people to stop, especially in Māori and Pacific groups. The kits may assist long-term quitting, but the impact is limited. Policy changes are needed for significant reductions. Distributing all vape kits provided would see about 466 successfully quitting, a small fraction of the goal. To reach the target, denicotinisation could be key. Cost-effectiveness calculations suggest scaling up the program may fall short. Overall, urgent and evidence-based measures are necessary for substantial progress toward Smokefree 2025.

April 14, 2025 by independentaustralia.net

Recent investigations by Four Corners and 60 Minutes detailed Australia's $5 billion illegal tobacco market controlled by criminal gangs. Increased taxes intended to reduce smoking have led to violent crime, with over 200 shops destroyed. The lucrative black market worsened health outcomes and decreased government revenue. Policymakers, like Professor Simon Chapman, have faced criticism for overlooking unintended consequences. The ban on vapes further fueled the black market. Experts advocate for realistic tobacco policies to combat crime and support harm reduction through safer alternatives like vaping. The rigid approach to vaping risks unsustainable outcomes. Declining legal sales point to the need for a reevaluation of Australia's tobacco policies.

April 11, 2025 by filtermag.org

Tobacco harm reduction advocates face misinformation and smears, as shown by the recent conflict involving ASH NZ and ThreeNews in New Zealand. The Broadcasting Standards Authority ruled against biased reporting and ordered corrective actions and costs. Similar experiences have been faced by THR advocate Dr. Mendelsohn in Australia. Such attacks undermine credibility and divert focus from important work. Despite controversial funding sources, advocates believe in the importance of evidence-based arguments. Ultimately, the harm reduction cause and smokers seeking help suffer the most from these smear campaigns. Promoting balanced and responsible discourse remains crucial in the field of harm reduction.