Read articles from Australia

September 03, 2024 by dailymail.co.uk

Vaping is linked to depression, especially among teens. Australian researchers found that students with severe depression were twice as likely to try e-cigarettes. While the direct cause is unknown, there's a strong association between vaping and mental health issues. Studies show that stress, anxiety, and poor well-being are linked to e-cigarette use. Prevention and intervention efforts are crucial to support young people's health. Research highlights the risks and prevalence of vaping among teens and adults, emphasizing the need for mental health consideration in addressing vaping habits. Actions are being taken to reduce e-cigarette use among students.

September 02, 2024 by colinmendelsohn.com.au

6-methylnicotine, a nicotine alternative, is used in vapes to bypass Australian restrictions. It is more potent but its safety is uncertain, with potential cytotoxic effects. Recent research found labeling inconsistencies, raising safety concerns. With new laws banning all vapes' importation, including those with 6MT, it is safer to use nicotine vapes from reliable sources.

August 29, 2024 by citynews.com.au

Australia’s failed prescription policy for vaping nicotine was finally scrapped by a federal Senate vote on June 25. It has been replaced by an utterly unworkable pharmacy supply scheme that begins operating on October 1. Recently, Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) in the UK released figures showing that of the 5.6 million vapers in the UK, 53 per cent said they had managed to quit smoking entirely thanks to vapes. Cigarette smoking used to be more common in the UK than in Australia before (...)

August 22, 2024 by vejpkollen.se

Snus, or rather the Swedish-style nicotine pouch, along with all other smokeless tobacco products, has been banned in Australia since 1991. It is strictly forbidden to sell the products in the country, and snus can only be legally imported for personal use if the user has a special medical certificate.

August 20, 2024 by planetofthevapes.co.uk

The Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration is proving that the country’s approach to vaping is working as it announces seizures of alleged illicit vaping goods and nicotine pouches in a joint enforcement operation. It is proving that the prohibition is going very badly as it has boosted the black market and criminal violence.

August 19, 2024 by vapingpost.com

Australia was once considered a world leader in tobacco control, successfully decreasing the local smoking rate from 28% in 1989–90, to 11% in 2020–21. In 2003, the island nation signed up to the World Health Organization (WHO) Framework Convention on Tobacco Control to help reduce tobacco use, and has sadly fully endorsed the health agency’s prohibitionist approach. As a result, the nation’s decline in smoking cessation rates has stalled.

August 16, 2024 by colinmendelsohn.com.au

Tobacco harm reduction faces relentless opposition in Australia for ideological and political reasons and is opposed by almost all government organisations, medical associations and health charities. Vaping is framed as a threat rather than an opportunity and there is a moral panic about youth vaping. The scientific evidence is ignored or distorted and that message is amplified by the mainstream media. As a result, Australia’s smoking rates are declining slowly compared to other countries, and this is costing lives.

August 12, 2024 by colinmendelsohn.com.au

The NSW Parliamentary report on vaping fails to address the potential harm reduction benefits for adult smokers. It emphasizes exaggerated fears of youth vaping, dismissing evidence that most young vapers do not become regular users or transition to smoking. The report overlooks the proven benefits of vaping as a quitting aid, opting for ineffective crackdowns on illicit vapes instead of regulated sales. By succumbing to moral panic, the report misses the opportunity to improve public health and protect smokers. A rethink towards evidence-based harm reduction is crucial.

August 12, 2024 by theguardian.com

Frontline workers face legal obstacles in administering naloxone to treat drug overdoses in Victoria without first calling emergency services. Health experts warn about the dangers of synthetic opioids and advocate for increased access to naloxone. Despite public availability and trial vending machines, non-clinical workers must follow strict guidelines, causing potential delays in life-saving interventions. Concerns over indemnity and insurance coverage for administering naloxone have been raised, prompting calls for a more streamlined process. The Victorian government encourages the public to administer naloxone but emphasizes the importance of calling emergency services.

August 05, 2024 by theguardian.com

Two individuals were harmed by vaping synthetic opioids, with one teen dying. The substances were THC mixed with protonitazene, a lethal synthetic opioid. Medical experts share these cases to raise awareness of synthetic opioids infecting various drugs. Protonitazene, 100 times stronger than heroin, was the culprit, leading to overdoses and intense medical intervention. The incidents highlight the danger of vaping such drugs without knowledge, urging the availability of anti-overdose drugs to combat this issue. Authorities should enhance harm reduction measures, including drug checking services and wider access to naloxone. Awareness, education, and quick emergency response are crucial in preventing opioid overdoses.