!!!February 1, 2024
Locally owned and independent
The Northern Rivers Times
SENIORS & HEALTH NEWS 45
Urgent Reforms to Vaping Laws: A Call to Safeguard Youth Against Nicotine Addiction In a ground-breaking commentary published in the Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health, leading tobacco control experts applaud the Federal Government’s decisive move to address vaping law loopholes. The expert authors, including Associate Professor Becky Freeman from the University of Sydney, Professor Tanya Buchanan, CEO of Cancer Council Australia, and Anita Dessaix, Chair of Cancer Council’s Public Health Committee, stress the urgency of implementing the proposed reforms to combat the rising youth vaping epidemic. The reforms, announced by Health Minister the Hon Mark Butler in November 2023, aim to tighten vaping regulations comprehensively. The prohibition of disposable, single use vapes, effective from
January 1, is the initial step. Planned legislation for the year includes measures to curb advertising, supply, or commercial possession of non-therapeutic and disposable vapes, close legal loopholes on personal importation, and regulate nicotine levels and flavours in prescription vapes. The academic commentary underscores the significance of these
reforms, emphasizing that addressing access and supply of vaping products is critical to reversing the alarming surge in young people turning to vaping and becoming susceptible to lifelong nicotine addiction. Lead author Associate Professor Becky Freeman highlights the ease with which young people can still purchase e-cigarettes, despite
the illegality of selling nicotine vapes since 2021. The commentary sheds light on the legal loophole allowing retailers to sell nonnicotine vapes, often misleadingly labelled, without adhering to regulations. The proposed reforms aim to close this gap, which has contributed to the concerning increase in youth vaping. The authors criticize
problem. Co-author Anita Dessaix emphasizes that the reforms do not prohibit vaping but seek to strike a balance between protecting young people from predatory practices and providing access to vaping for smokers seeking a cessation aid. The authors urge politicians at all levels of government to support and enforce the strengthened prescription pathway. Adjunct Professor Terry Slevin, CEO of the Public Health Association of Australia, underscores the importance of these evidence-based reforms to safeguard the next generation from the destructive nicotine industry. The call to action urges all members of Parliament to support legislative changes and close loopholes to protect the health of Australians, particularly the youth.
retailers for knowingly selling nicotinecontaining vapes to minors, strategically placing these products near schools and using enticing displays to attract young customers. Professor Tanya Buchanan points out that some advocating for more open access to vapes have commercial interests in selling these products and are, in fact, contributing to the
Enhancing Rural Healthcare: Government Initiative Boosts Support for Rural Generalists The National Rural Health Alliance welcomes the Commonwealth Government’s recent introduction of the Rural Advanced Skills funding streams as part of the Workforce Incentives Program. This initiative addresses a critical need for support among rural generalist doctors, aiming to equip them with advanced skills essential for effective service in rural and remote communities. Susi Tegen, the Chief Executive of the Alliance, emphasized the significance of the Rural Advanced Skills training program in addressing the unique challenges faced by rural generalist doctors nationwide. She pointed out the lower life expectancy and increased disease burden in remote areas, underscoring the importance of
specialized skills in enhancing healthcare outcomes. Rural generalists play a pivotal role in various capacities, including training the future medical and allied workforce, skills maintenance, administrative duties, and clinical management. Their diverse skill sets in emergency medicine, obstetrics and gynaecology, and anaesthetics, developed through experience in rural settings, make them crucial contributors to healthcare in challenging environments. The Alliance acknowledged the collaborative efforts of the Minister for Health and Aged Care, the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM), and the Royal
Australian College of General Practice (RACGP) in developing a National Rural Generalist Pathway. This pathway aims to establish a robust national rural generalist workforce, essential for multidisciplinary rural healthcare provision. Eligible rural generalists with advanced skills in mental health, obstetrics, surgery, emergency medicine, First Nations health, and anaesthetics are encouraged to leverage the new Workforce Incentives Program. The program offers incentives of up to $21,000 per year, with specific payments ranging from $4,000 to $10,500 for doctors providing advanced skills services and emergency care. Ms. Tegen emphasized the necessity of addressing the decline in the rural doctor
workforce, highlighting these incentives as a crucial component in reversing the trend. The Alliance asserts that the 30% of Australia’s population residing in rural, remote, and regional areas deserves equitable health and medical access comparable to their urban counterparts. For detailed
in rural and remote Australia, serves as a united voice advocating for sustainable and affordable health services. The Alliance, with broad representation from various sectors, plays a pivotal role in conveying the perspectives of rural communities to the government.
information on eligibility and application procedures for the new payment, interested parties can visit the Department of Health and Aged Care website. The National Rural Health Alliance, comprising 50 national organizations committed to improving the health and wellbeing of 7 million people
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