Read articles from Oceania

April 18, 2025 by eu-policies.com

Released in late March, Australia’s latest federal budget reveals a striking trend: tobacco excise tax revenue has nearly halved since 2019, with projected losses reaching A$10 billion (€5.6 billion) by 2029. Local media investigations over the past month have linked this growing budget deficit to the country’s booming tobacco and nicotine black markets, driven in large part by organised crime. Experts warn that this surge in illicit trade is an unintended consequence of Canberra’s overly restrictive vaping policies.

April 14, 2025 by phcc.org.nz

The Government aims for Smokefree 2025 but free vape kits may only help fewer than 500 quit smoking. Achieving the goal requires over 82,000 people to stop, especially in Māori and Pacific groups. The kits may assist long-term quitting, but the impact is limited. Policy changes are needed for significant reductions. Distributing all vape kits provided would see about 466 successfully quitting, a small fraction of the goal. To reach the target, denicotinisation could be key. Cost-effectiveness calculations suggest scaling up the program may fall short. Overall, urgent and evidence-based measures are necessary for substantial progress toward Smokefree 2025.

April 14, 2025 by independentaustralia.net

Recent investigations by Four Corners and 60 Minutes detailed Australia's $5 billion illegal tobacco market controlled by criminal gangs. Increased taxes intended to reduce smoking have led to violent crime, with over 200 shops destroyed. The lucrative black market worsened health outcomes and decreased government revenue. Policymakers, like Professor Simon Chapman, have faced criticism for overlooking unintended consequences. The ban on vapes further fueled the black market. Experts advocate for realistic tobacco policies to combat crime and support harm reduction through safer alternatives like vaping. The rigid approach to vaping risks unsustainable outcomes. Declining legal sales point to the need for a reevaluation of Australia's tobacco policies.

April 11, 2025 by filtermag.org

Tobacco harm reduction advocates face misinformation and smears, as shown by the recent conflict involving ASH NZ and ThreeNews in New Zealand. The Broadcasting Standards Authority ruled against biased reporting and ordered corrective actions and costs. Similar experiences have been faced by THR advocate Dr. Mendelsohn in Australia. Such attacks undermine credibility and divert focus from important work. Despite controversial funding sources, advocates believe in the importance of evidence-based arguments. Ultimately, the harm reduction cause and smokers seeking help suffer the most from these smear campaigns. Promoting balanced and responsible discourse remains crucial in the field of harm reduction.

April 10, 2025 by medicalxpress.com

Reducing smoking in low-income households is crucial due to health and financial strains, according to University of Queensland research. Tobacco tax hikes have helped lower smoking rates, but those who continue face financial challenges. Additional measures like free cessation support and limiting tobacco availability are recommended. While Australia's taxation strategies have been successful, comprehensive approaches involving both price and non-price measures are needed to achieve the goal of less than 5% smoking prevalence by 2030. Reinvesting tax revenue into cessation support and welfare programs for disadvantaged populations is also suggested. The study analyzed household tobacco spending from 2006 to 2022, showing a decrease in expenditure due to increased prices.

April 09, 2025 by citynews.com.au

Low-income individuals in Australia are disproportionately affected by smoking, with more smokers and higher daily cigarette consumption. The high cost of cigarettes, driven by a 282% tax increase since 2013, has led to a thriving black market, resulting in a significant loss of government revenue. Despite efforts to curb illegal sales, the problem persists, similar to drug enforcement challenges. Advocate for lower cigarette taxes to address the issue face opposition from health officials. Transitioning to safer alternatives like vaping could be a solution, as seen in New Zealand. The current Australian government's stringent tobacco policies disproportionately harm the less privileged, potentially impacting their electoral support.

April 09, 2025 by citynews.com.au

Low-income individuals in Australia are disproportionately affected by smoking, with more smokers and higher daily cigarette consumption. The high cost of cigarettes, driven by a 282% tax increase since 2013, has led to a thriving black market, resulting in a significant loss of government revenue. Despite efforts to curb illegal sales, the problem persists, similar to drug enforcement challenges. Advocate for lower cigarette taxes to address the issue face opposition from health officials. Transitioning to safer alternatives like vaping could be a solution, as seen in New Zealand. The current Australian government's stringent tobacco policies disproportionately harm the less privileged, potentially impacting their electoral support.

April 08, 2025 by aliveadvocacymovement.com

The Australian pharmacy-only vaping model is failing, with 75% of pharmacies not stocking vaping products. The government's restrictive approach has led to limited product availability, half of which are supplied by Big Tobacco. Critics argue that pharmacies are uninterested due to paperwork and reputation concerns. Advocates call for reform to allow licensed vape retailers to meet demand. As legal access declines, a dangerous black market is emerging. Vapers report confusion and disinterest from pharmacies, highlighting the model's flaws. The ALIVE Advocacy Movement urges immediate change to prevent further harm and reliance on illegal sources.

April 07, 2025 by rnz.co.nz

Researchers in New Zealand are investigating the long-term health effects of vaping, especially among youth who are increasingly using e-cigarettes. Concerns about the impact on respiratory health and potential diseases are growing, as vaping is relatively new compared to smoking. Studies have found various chemicals and heavy metals in vape aerosols, raising safety questions. Efforts to address vaping addiction include proposing plain, tobacco-flavored vapes to reduce the appeal to young users. New Zealand's upcoming regulations will ban disposable vapes and limit displays in stores, aligning with research efforts to understand the health implications of vaping.

April 02, 2025 by tobaccoreporter.com

Australia implemented new cigarette packaging laws on April 1, requiring health warnings on each cigarette. Canada is the only other country with similar regulations. The laws also introduced 10 graphic health warnings and inserts promoting smoking cessation. Cancer Council's Sarah Durkin noted the warnings initially raised awareness but effectiveness declined over time. New warnings address lesser-known risks like diabetes and DNA damage from smoking, as well as secondhand smoke effects on children's lung capacity.