Read articles from Australia

July 30, 2024 by filtermag.org

Research explores leveraging international human rights treaties to challenge bans on nicotine vapes, drawing parallels to successful anti-gay law challenges. Optional Protocols provide pathways to challenge human rights violations. Applying this to vaping bans could invoke the rights to health and self-determination under the ICCPR and ICESCR. Arguments could target access to harm reduction methods as crucial for public health. The process involves evidence collection, complaint submission to relevant UN committees, and awaiting their views. Success could drive policy change through international pressure. Leveraging such mechanisms requires a strategic, collaborative approach, aiming to establish harm reduction as a fundamental human right globally.

July 25, 2024 by colinmendelsohn.com.au

An analysis of Australian news stories has exposed the media’s role in creating a moral panic about youth vaping. The resulting outrage and distorted public opinion leads to knee-jerk, heavy-handed responses by regulators, without considering the unintended consequences or alternative options.

In reviewing media stories over a 6-month period, the researchers from the University of Queensland found that media reports were often sensationalised and inflammatory.

July 25, 2024 by colinmendelsohn.com.au

An analysis of Australian news stories has exposed the media’s role in creating a moral panic about youth vaping. The resulting outrage and distorted public opinion leads to knee-jerk, heavy-handed responses by regulators, without considering the unintended consequences or alternative options.

In reviewing media stories over a 6-month period, the researchers from the University of Queensland found that media reports were often sensationalised and inflammatory.

July 25, 2024 by ft.lk

Last month’s Global Forum on Nicotine in Warsaw unearthed a wealth of new findings and experiences that will have policymakers around the world revisiting their approach to tobacco control and modern tobacco and nicotine-based harm reduction products. Some of the key observations shared by tobacco control specialists is how excessive regulation has driven people underground and fuelled the growth of substantial illicit drugs.

July 25, 2024 by colinmendelsohn.com.au

From 1 October 2024, vapes and e-liquids (with or without nicotine) will be classified as schedule 3 medicines and will be legally available without a prescription only from pharmacies. Here are 10 reasons why the pharmacy model will inevitably fail, probably not (...)

July 22, 2024 by vapingpost.com

A recent paper explored the optimal way to define “e-cigarette use” among youth in a manner pertinent to individual and public health. Commonly, definitions of youth vaping are derived from those used for tobacco cigarette smoking. In fact very frequently vaping is even referred to as tobacco use, despite the fact that vapes do not contain tobacco. Moreover, many definitions tend to not be appropriate for vaping products, given the lower risk profile and different usage patterns.

July 15, 2024 by yahoo.com

Dr. Colin Mendelsohn advocates for legalizing and regulating vaping to reduce smoking's health and economic impact, pointing out the success in New Zealand. He criticizes Australia's anti-vaping laws, suggesting they are doomed to fail and hinder smoking cessation efforts. Despite concerns about litter and environmental impact, Mendelsohn believes vapes are a safer alternative to cigarettes. He emphasizes the need for better education on vaping and disposal practices. Smoking-related healthcare costs in Australia are a significant burden on the economy. The expert warns that stringent vaping regulations may not curb smoking and could fuel a thriving black market.

July 15, 2024 by abc.net.au

An anti-smoking advocate says the seizure of tens of thousands of dollars worth of illegal tobacco across regional Western Australia shows more needs to be done to combat the state's black market trade. Police seized thousands of cigarettes and vapes in raids across Bunbury, Manjimup and Geraldton last week. The raids, by detectives from the organised crime squad, netted more than 200,000 cigarettes, 16,000 vapes, 162 kilograms of illegal tobacco and $55,950 in cash. Police say the investigation into the seizures is ongoing.

July 08, 2024 by monash.edu

Smokers seeking to conquer their addiction may have a new treatment option following the results from a clinical trial led by Monash University, which found a combination of varenicline and nicotine lozenges significantly improved smoking abstinence when compared with varenicline alone. Both varenicline and nicotine lozenges (a form of nicotine replacement therapy) are medications commonly used for smoking cessation. Varenicline is the most effective single therapy currently available for smoking cessation.

July 05, 2024 by wiley.com

Smoking remains a leading cause of health inequalities and government policy needs to reduce this gradient. Many of the people who smoke are from underrepresented and disadvantaged groups, and therefore, hold little power when it comes to political decision making. Hall provides a range of evidence-based arguments that outline why Australia's e-cigarette policy is failing to deliver equitable and effective public health policy. Adding to Hall's own analysis of these issues, I have several further observations.