Fanning the flame: analysing the emergence, implications, and challenges of Australia’s de facto war on Nicotine
March 25, 2025 by biomedcentral.com
Fanning the flame: analysing the emergence, implications, and challenges of Australia’s de facto war on Nicotine
This commentary analyzes Australia’s increasingly strict nicotine regulations, likening them to a de facto War on Nicotine. While traditional tobacco control measures have successfully reduced smoking rates, recent policies—such as higher tobacco taxes and a vape ban—have unintentionally fueled a growing black market. This has led to increased criminal activity, systemic violence, and health risks from unregulated nicotine products. The paper argues that Australia’s current approach may be causing more harm than good, similar to the unintended effects of drug prohibition. It advocates for a shift toward harm reduction, tax reforms, and improved access to safer nicotine alternatives for a more effective policy.
