Doctors, dentists, nurses, pharmacists, public health experts, teachers, parents and guardians urge federal politicians to pass the Vaping Reforms Bill.
A joint letter published today by the Australian Council on Smoking and Health (ACOSH) urges all federal politicians to listen to the community and the health sector and protect our children’s health from vaping.
The letter – with 58 signatories from leading health organisations including the Australian Medical Association, the National Heart Foundation, and Cancer Council Australia, as well as Commissioners for Children and Young People and parents’ organisations around the nation – calls for politicians to be on the right side of history and support the upcoming Vaping Reforms Bill.
Co-Chief Executive at ACOSH, Laura Hunter said “Let’s be clear here, what’s really at stake is the health and wellbeing of our children.”
“It’s no secret that we’ve reached a crisis point with one in six children aged 12-17 having vaped last month. Vapes are deliberately marketed to children and nine in ten stores are located close to schools. Worryingly, young people who vape say they cannot stop or cut down.
Organisations are calling for politicians to change this now and vote on behalf of our children and young people to protect them from nicotine addiction.
“This Bill will get vapes out of convenience stores, delis, and petrol stations and into pharmacies under the control of the prescription model. At the same time, it will ensure they are only available to adults who want to quit smoking.
In addition to trying to addict new generations of young Australians to vapes, the tobacco and vape industries and their allies are running relentless campaigns to sabotage the sound policy that is in front of our parliament.
“When our elected members come to vote on 24 June, we ask them to listen instead to the overwhelming number of Australians, including parents and the health, education and social service sectors whose only interest is in protecting our young people and their future.
We say to all members: If you want to be on the right side of history, support the Bill”.
Quotes attributable to Dr Steve Robson, Australian Medical Association
“As more time passes, further evidence comes to light about the dangers of vaping, which is a ticking time bomb, threatening the health of future generations of Australians.”
“Australia has woken up to the grave dangers of vaping, and it is high time reforms are implemented to protect children and young Australians from the dirty tricks used by the big tobacco and pro-vaping lobbies.”
“Nicotine is highly addictive, and there is strong evidence to show young people who vape are three times more likely to take up smoking. The AMA is urging all federal MPs and Senators to support this important legislation.”
Quotes attributable to David Lloyd, CEO at the Heart Foundation
“The evidence is clear: e-cigarettes and vapes are not safe. The more we learn about ‘vaping’, the more we understand its harmful effects on the human body, including its links to heart disease.
“Add to that the high levels of nicotine that keep people addicted and vaping is just another deadly and costly version of tobacco smoking, which already sadly costs our nation far too much in terms of pain and suffering, as well as billions of dollars in healthcare costs.
“This legislation, if passed, will protect our children and save parents the pain of watching a child become addicted to nicotine.”
For media enquiries please contact:
Lung Foundation Australia Media and Communications Specialist
Anna Hilton
0408 191 192
Media contact for ACOSH
Maria Kelly (Essential)
0432 049 034