Read articles from Oceania

June 27, 2024 by clearingtheair.eu

Australia has softened its ban on vapes, allowing adults to buy them in pharmacies without a prescription. The government made changes to the law to secure Green party support in the Senate, despite concerns about fueling a black market. Vapes will still have plain packaging and limited flavors. The new rules aim to prevent youth access while supporting adult smokers. The government emphasized the therapeutic purpose of vapes for quitting smoking. The laws will be reviewed in three years.

June 25, 2024 by sydney.edu.au

The Australian Senate will ban all vape sales from general retailers starting July 1, including non-nicotine vapes. Sales will only be allowed in pharmacies, behind the counter. This legislation tightens vape access and follows import restrictions that prohibited single-use disposable vapes. Experts from the University of Sydney's Faculty of Medicine and Health discuss the new law's implications.

June 25, 2024 by filtermag.org

Australia and New Zealand present differing approaches to vaping regulation. While Australia heavily restricts vaping, New Zealand has adopted a consumer-friendly model. New Zealand's approach has led to a significant drop in smoking rates and a rise in vaping among adults, contributing to public health improvements. In contrast, Australia's tough regulations have fueled a thriving illicit vaping market, causing violence and undermining public health efforts. New Zealand's harm reduction strategy shows promise in achieving smoke-free goals, while Australia struggles to curb smoking rates. The comparison underscores the benefits of New Zealand's approach over Australia's restrictive policies.

June 24, 2024 by smh.com.au

The Albanese government in Australia will allow the purchase of plain-packaged nicotine vapes without a prescription starting October. Health Minister Mark Butler compromised with the Greens to pass legislation penalizing unlicensed shops selling illegal vapes, stepping back from the original plan requiring a doctor's prescription. Butler's move follows concerns of vapes aiding Big Tobacco in addicting youths to nicotine. The Coalition criticized the amendments as a backtrack on the hardline prescription-only approach.

June 24, 2024 by theconversation.com

The Australian Senate is passing a bill ending all vape sales, with non-nicotine vapes only sold in pharmacies starting July 1. Amended by the Greens, vapes will require a prescription initially, then become prescription-free for therapeutic use by October 1, 2024. Vaping products must meet quality standards, be sold behind pharmacy counters, and only in mint/menthol and tobacco flavors. Retailers selling illegal vapes face fines and jail time. The bill aims to address the rise in teen vaping. Proponents argue against treating vapes like tobacco. Effective monitoring and enforcement are crucial to protect young people from nicotine addiction.

June 19, 2024 by reason.com

Australia's tobacco turf war stems from high cigarette taxes and strict vaping restrictions, driving a thriving illicit market. Government crackdowns have led to escalating violence and a surge in organized crime related to nicotine. With draconian measures planned, Australia risks worsening its drug war. By stifling safer nicotine alternatives, the country faces a rise in smoking and vaping among youth. The contrast with more liberal approaches, like in New Zealand, highlights the impact of policy choices on public health. Australia's experience serves as a cautionary tale, showing the consequences of extreme anti-nicotine regulations.

June 18, 2024 by theage.com.au

Smoking and vaping rates have risen during the pandemic due to illegal cigarettes and high taxes, as seen in Victoria. Legalizing vapes may reduce the illegal market, but not illegal cigarette sales. Data from Cancer Council Victoria highlights a surge in smoking, vaping, and dual use. The black market thrives on price gaps caused by tobacco excise taxes.

June 17, 2024 by vapingpost.com

Dr. Colin Mendelsohn, a renowned expert in smoking cessation, received the prestigious Michael Russell Award in 2024 for his groundbreaking contributions to safer nicotine products and tobacco harm reduction. Despite facing opposition in Australia, Mendelsohn advocates for vaping as a tool for quitting smoking. His efforts include engaging with policymakers, providing scientific evidence, and producing educational materials. Mendelsohn's dedication to harm reduction and advocacy for vaping have led to international recognition, despite facing criticism at home. His book, "Stop Smoking, Start Vaping," is available for free to promote vaping's health benefits. Mendelsohn's unwavering commitment to harm reduction has earned him the well-deserved Michael Russell Award.

June 04, 2024 by smh.com.au

The number of people using vapes in NSW increased last year, but survey data suggests more than half are considering quitting in the next six months. According to figures from the latest NSW Population Health Survey, published by the Ministry of Health on Friday, almost 19 per cent of people aged 16 to 24 identify as a current user of vapes, also known as e-cigarettes. Self-reported vaping rates increased in every age group in the 2022-23 survey. However, among under-35s – who have the highest vaping rates – the increase in uptake was smaller than the previous year.

June 03, 2024 by gfn.tv

Australia intensified its war on vaping with new, punitive regulations that will criminalize nicotine vaping products to an extent unseen in the Western world. The government explicitly states that its goal is to 'reverse the increasing uptake of recreational nicotine.