Comments made at the National Press Club on Wednesday 22 July did not accurately reflect Lung Foundation Australia’s position on vaping and smoking cessation.
Lung Foundation Australia’s position on e-cigarettes is informed by rigorous scientific evidence and is entirely independent of the tobacco and vaping industries.
Our policy and positions align with the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC), the Thoracic Society of Australia and New Zealand, and other leading public health organisations such as Cancer Australia, Cancer Institute NSW, Clinical Oncology Society of Australia, and Royal Australian College of General Practice.
Consistent with available research, Lung Foundation Australia believes therapeutic nicotine e-cigarettes should only be considered as a last-line smoking cessation option for people who want to quit smoking. This means therapeutic nicotine e-cigarettes may be considered by a healthcare professional only after evidence-based treatments, including NRT, approved cessation medicines and behavioural counselling, have been tried without success. Where appropriate, therapeutic nicotine e-cigarettes should be used as part of a supported quit attempt alongside behavioural counselling.
While we recognise there are divergent views regarding the role of therapeutic nicotine vaping products in smoking cessation, Lung Foundation Australia supports access to TGA-approved therapeutic nicotine e-cigarettes through pharmacy pathways, under the close guidance of a healthcare professional. Lung Foundation Australia does not support the use of e-cigarette and vaping products by people who do not smoke, and Lung Foundation Australia does not support a retail sales model for vaping and e-cigarette products. We are also careful to screen research that has been funded by tobacco corporations and subsidiaries.
Our position is consistent with the evidence that demonstrates e-cigarettes are not without harm. They are known to cause short-term lung injury and inflammation, while emerging evidence indicates the potential for longer-term respiratory, cardiovascular and cancer related harms.
As Australia’s leading lung health charity, Lung Foundation Australia promotes smoking cessation approaches that help people quit nicotine dependence without exposing the lungs to inhaled chemicals.
We also emphasise the importance of reducing stigma and ensuring people who smoke, vape, or use other nicotine products, can access compassionate, evidence-based support whilst getting the balance right in preventing children and young people from taking up smoking or nicotine products.
Lung Foundation Australia has consistently called for better cessation support for Australians, especially those most disadvantaged. We advocate for free and improved access to nicotine replacement therapy and behavioural counselling, Quitline services and other evidence-based affordable smoking cessation care. Further, we recommend a significant reduction in retail availability of tobacco products, introducing a tobacco- and vape-free generation policy, and banning of political donations from the tobacco and vape industry.
We again commend the precautionary approach taken by consecutive governments, including by the Coalition government who introduced e-cigarette reforms in 2021, with these reforms being strengthened considerably by the Albanese Government.
Quote attributable to Mark Brooke, CEO, Lung Foundation Australia
“Lung Foundation Australia has always been guided by the best available scientific evidence and a commitment to improving the lung health of all Australians. Our position on vaping is evidence-based, independent of industry influence, and focussed on helping people successfully quit smoking and nicotine dependence.”
“We welcome respectful scientific debate and recognise there are differing views on this issue. However, it is important that Lung Foundation Australia’s position is represented accurately. We remain committed to supporting people to quit smoking through evidence-based care while advocating for policies that protect and improve the lung health of all Australians.”
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