Read articles from Australia

March 25, 2025 by 9news.com.au

Although illegal in Australia, nicotine pouches remain popular among young Australians, leading to recent seizures by the Therapeutic Goods Administration. Marketed as a cleaner alternative to smoking, these pouches contain nicotine and flavors but lack tobacco. Safety concerns arise from inconsistent nicotine levels and unregulated ingredients. Side effects include addiction, mouth issues, and potential harm to brain development. While banned for sale, some individuals import them with a prescription. Nicotine pouches' efficacy as a smoking cessation aid is inconclusive compared to other nicotine replacement therapies. More research is needed to assess their safety and effectiveness.

March 25, 2025 by racgp.org.au

Unregulated nicotine pouches are concerning Australia's youth, despite being illegal. The influx is worrying doctors due to potential health risks and lack of regulation. The products have been seized, but their contents and safety remain unknown. Specialists caution against the use of these pouches for smoking cessation and highlight the importance of safer alternatives like patches or behavioral support. While many young users find the pouches unpleasant, addiction can lead to more harmful habits. The long-term effects of these products are uncertain, underscoring the need for caution and informed choices in addressing nicotine dependency.

March 21, 2025 by theconversation.com

E-cigarette companies like British American Tobacco lobbied to loosen vape regulations in NZ and Australia. They argue vaping is replacing smoking based on a 2020 study. However, a new study found vaping slowed the decline in youth smoking rates since 2010. The 2020 study didn't consider this and influenced policy decisions. Research suggests vaping may lead to smoking uptake in NZ adolescents, emphasizing the need for comprehensive policies addressing both vaping and smoking. Policymakers globally should be cautious of unintended consequences on youth when crafting regulations around vaping products for adults.

March 17, 2025 by pulsetasmania.com.au

Tasmania is the first Australian state to ban over-the-counter vape sales, requiring prescriptions for those over 18 under the new Public Health Amendment (Vaping) Bill 2024. This move surpasses federal regulations and aims to protect youth from the dangers of vaping. The decision has been praised by officials and health organizations for its focus on public health and reducing smoking-related harm. Cancer Council Tasmania emphasizes the importance of preventing smoking and vaping uptake to combat health risks effectively.

March 05, 2025 by gfn.tv

New Zealand's acceptance of safer nicotine products has spearheaded an unprecedented drop in smoking rates in its indigenous communities - can its neighbour Australia leaern a thing or two from New Zealand's success? In this latest episode of GFN News Will Godfrey joins us to highlight a recent paper by Colin Mendelsohn exploring New Zealand's plummeting smoking rates.

February 17, 2025 by news.com.au

New research suggests that vaping may be even more harmful than previously thought. A Reddit user, a former vaping addict, described struggling to remove a greasy residue from their car windows after years of heavy use of disposable vapes. Despite regular cleaning, the buildup persisted, causing strong glare on the windshield and forcing them to keep the air conditioning on at all times. Lead researcher and distinguished professor Brian Oliver believes the Australian public deserves to be better informed about the dangers of third-hand vaping, especially young people who “don’t often think of these risks”

February 14, 2025 by medicalxpress.com

Two professionals' study in the Addiction journal compared smoking rates in Australia and New Zealand, finding faster declines in New Zealand. They attribute this to New Zealand's less restrictive vaping regulations. The research suggests that increasing access to nicotine vaping products could benefit public health and reduce smoking rates, especially among disadvantaged populations. The restrictive vaping model in Australia might lead to a thriving black market. The study recommends less strict regulations, such as licensed retail sales, age verification, and limited advertising, to balance reducing youth access and encouraging smokers to switch to vaping. Implementing a more permissive policy similar to New Zealand could help improve public health outcomes and curb the illicit vape market.

February 12, 2025 by gfn.tv

Why has New Zealand's smoking rate dropped so far below Australia's in recent years, and what can we subsequently learn from New Zealand's approach to safer nicotine products? In this episode of GFN News THR advocate Colin Mendelsohn highlights the striking difference in approach to vaping in New Zealand and Australia. Enjoy!

February 11, 2025 by filtermag.org

A study published in the Addiction journal indicates that nicotine vaping can help reduce health disparities, particularly for low-income and Indigenous groups. The research compares smoking and vaping trends in Australia and New Zealand from 2016 to 2023. New Zealand's more supportive vaping regulations led to a faster decline in smoking, especially in disadvantaged communities. The study suggests that embracing vaping as a harm reduction strategy could significantly reduce smoking rates and health inequalities. Other countries are encouraged to consider similar regulations to benefit high-risk populations.

February 10, 2025 by wiley.com

Comparing regulatory models for nicotine vaping products in different countries can provide insights into the most effective regulatory approach but can be confounded by cross-national differences. This study compared two neighbouring countries with very different vaping regulatory models but with similar tobacco control policies and population demographics. Australia has a highly restrictive, prescription-only vaping policy, while New Zealand adopted a regulated consumer model.