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 favours in prescription vapes.

The academic commentary underscores the signifcance 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 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 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.