Published November 28,2023
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Australia will ban imports of disposable vapes from January 1, the federal government stated Tuesday, slamming the gadgets as leisure merchandise addicting youngsters.
The block on single-use vapes is aimed toward reversing a “disturbing” enhance in vaping amongst younger folks, Health Minister Mark Butler stated.
Australia first revealed the import ban in May however had not given a begin date till now.
Vaping had been offered to governments as a device to assist long-term people who smoke stop, Butler stated.
“It was not sold as a recreational product, especially not one targeted to our kids, but that is what it has become,” the minister stated.
“The great majority of vapes contain nicotine, and children are becoming addicted.”
About one in seven youngsters aged 14-17 makes use of vapes, the federal government stated in a press release.
It cited “consistent evidence” that younger Australians who vape are about thrice extra prone to take up tobacco smoking.
Legislation may also be launched in 2024 to outlaw the manufacture, promoting or provide of disposable vapes in Australia, the federal government stated.
The import ban was hailed by the Australian Medical Association.
“Australia has been a world leader in reducing smoking rates and the subsequent health harms, so the government’s decisive action to stop vaping in its tracks and prevent further harm is very welcome,” stated affiliation president Steve Robson.
The authorities stated it was additionally introducing a scheme to allow docs and nurses to prescribe vapes “where clinically appropriate” from January 1.
Australia has a protracted report of preventing smoking.
In 2012, it turned the primary nation to introduce “plain packaging” legal guidelines for cigarettes — a coverage since copied by France, Britain and others.
High taxes have pushed up the value of a packet to about Aus$50 (US$33).
For some individuals who would in any other case by no means have smoked, vaping is a “dangerous gateway” to tobacco, stated Kim Caudwell, senior lecturer in psychology at Australia’s Charles Darwin University.
“So you can understand how at the population level, increased vaping and a resurgence of tobacco use will impact population health in the future.”
Neighbouring New Zealand till lately stood alongside Australia on the forefront of the battle in opposition to smoking.
But its new conservative coalition authorities, which took energy this week, has now promised to scrap a so-called “generational smoking ban” that may have stopped gross sales of tobacco to anybody born after 2008.
“I was absolutely shocked and appalled. It is one of the worst days I can remember for public health,” University of Otago tobacco management knowledgeable Richard Edwards advised AFP.
“It is public health vandalism.”
Source: www.anews.com.tr