How Australia Got the Story of Tobacco Harm Reduction So Wrong
October 06, 2025 by aliveadvocacymovement.com
How Australia Got the Story of Tobacco Harm Reduction So Wrong
In Australia, tobacco harm reduction faces obstacles due to government policies and academic biases. Despite evidence supporting harm reduction, Australia bans regulated vaping products, leading to increased smoking rates. Academic advisors focus on fear campaigns, ignoring harm reduction benefits for smokers. The government's vaping ban causes chaos, pushing smokers towards black-market products. Australia's hypocritical stance penalizes adults trying to quit smoking, while profiting from tobacco sales. The closed-loop public health network disregards international research supporting harm reduction. To save lives, Australia needs transparency, evidence-based policies, and a shift towards harm reduction. Failure to change risks continued harm and moral victories at the expense of people's lives.
11.00% of the adult population are current smokers. There are approximately 2.4 million current smokers in Australia 12.90% of men are current smokers but only 9.30% of women.
SOURCE: GSTHR
