Read articles from Oceania

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.

July 02, 2024 by fortune.com

Australia has implemented stringent vaping laws, requiring a prescription for purchase and limiting nicotine concentration in vape devices. The goal is to combat youth vaping, with a focus on smoking cessation. While praised for its approach, loopholes exist in the law, with restrictions set to ease slightly for adults over 18. Pharmacies are now responsible for vape sales, while illegal sellers face penalties. Enforcement challenges remain, with some stores still selling vape products easily. The new regulations aim to shift access to vapes and combat the rise of recreational vaping, emphasizing a therapeutic purpose.

July 01, 2024 by ajp.com.au

TGA urged to review vapes and produce guidelines to allay pharmacists’ concerns about stocking products  The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) needs to review the safety, efficacy and performance of vaping products before pharmacists will feel comfortable stocking them, an NSW-based pharmacist says.  Speaking with ABC Illawarra about new vaping legislation, which came into effect today

July 01, 2024 by medicalxpress.com

A study led by UNSW Sydney revealed low usage of prescription quit smoking medicines like NRT among pregnant women, highlighting the need for more support to help them quit successfully. While counseling is recommended first, medicines like NRT are considered effective for quitting in the general population. Varenicline and bupropion are not recommended during pregnancy due to limited safety evidence. The study stresses the importance of better information for pregnant women and clinicians to make informed decisions about smoking cessation. More research is necessary to evaluate the safety of varenicline and bupropion for pregnant women.

July 01, 2024 by reuters.com

New vaping regulations in Australia came into force on Monday, moving e-cigarettes behind pharmacy counters in a bid to curb youth vaping although opponents forced the government to walk back a stricter prohibition. The laws, passed last week, will restrict vape sales to pharmacies and require customers to speak with the pharmacist before buying a vape. Those under 18 will need a prescription. The ruling Labor party was forced to water down a broader plan that would have limited sales to those with a medical prescription after opposition from Greens senators concerned it would restrict access for those looking to quit smoking and strain the health system.

June 28, 2024 by rnz.co.nz

Australia will restrict vape sales to pharmacies, diverging from New Zealand's approach. This move prioritizes public health, utilizing pharmacists' expertise to support smokers transitioning to vaping. Despite concerns about stricter regulation compared to tobacco, limiting young people's access to vaping is essential. New Zealand faces rising youth vaping rates, necessitating comprehensive and proportional policies. Recent regulations struggled to curb vaping trends, highlighting the need for stricter measures like removing displays in retail outlets and restricting proximity to schools. Advocates urge reintroducing evidence-based regulations and aligning vaping policies with tobacco controls to safeguard youth from nicotine addiction.

June 27, 2024 by ama.com.au

The Parliament passed vaping reforms to protect Australians from e-cigarette harms, banning their domestic manufacture, supply, and advertisement. Vapes can now be sold as schedule 3 medicine with stricter controls. The AMA played a key role in advocating for these reforms, successfully influencing the passing of the legislation. The AMA criticized the National Party's proposal to impose an excise on vapes and actively engaged with MPs, Senators, and media to support the reforms. The Therapeutic Goods Administration provides updates on vaping reforms on its Vaping Hub.