Electronic cigarettes in Australia

An e-cigarette device.

The use of electronic cigarettes has gained popularity in Australia despite legal barriers to trade of nicotine containing products.[1] Australia is one of many countries currently developing regulations of these devices.[1]

Prevalence

The full extent to which e-cigarettes are used in Australia isn’t fully known due to their relatively new introduction to the market. It is however, known that their popularity in the world has increased exponentially since their introduction.[2] According to an online survey 97% of participants had been daily smokers prior to smoking e-cigarettes.[1] 47% of participants found out about e-cigarettes by word of mouth from either a friend or family member.[1] A higher proportion of Australians are smoking these products due to them being marketed as a "cleaner" nicotine product.[3]

Youth use

A 2013 national survey found that 15.4% of Australians aged over 14 years had used e-cigarettes in the last 12 months.[2] Concerns have arisen that the e-cigarettes are not suitable for youth as they can act as a gateway towards real cigarette smoking in the future.[2]

Government regulations

Currently there are no laws in Australia pertaining to the regulation of electronic cigarettes.[4] Although there are a number of laws relating the regulation of nicotine as it is seen as a "schedule 7 dangerous poison."[5] The sale of e-cigarettes have to be registered with the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) previously in order to be sold lawfully (Victoria, 2015).[5] Many states have introduced laws making the sale of nicotine products to minors illegal. The quality and safety of e-cigarettes has not been properly evaluated by the TGA. Importation of e-cigarettes and their related products is illegal unless approved by the TGA first.[6] The laws regarding to the distribution and ownership of e-cigarettes in Australia are complex. This is mainly due to their recent invention and lack of information.[5] A decision by Australia’s drug regulator to maintain a ban on e-cigarettes has created a curious alliance between harm minimisation advocates and big tobacco companies.[7]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Fraser, Doug; Weier, Megan (2015). "Vaper's perspectives on electronic cigarette regulation in Australia". The International Journal of Drug Policy. 26: 589–94. doi:10.1016/j.drugpo.2015.01.019. PMID 25724266.
  2. 1 2 3 Chapman, Simon (2015). "The future of electronic cigarette growth depends on youth uptake". The Medical Journal of Australia. 202: 467–468. doi:10.5694/mja15.00304.
  3. ↑ Gartner, Coral (2015). "A licence to vape: Is it time to trial of a nicotine licensing scheme to allow Australian adults controlled access to electronic cigarettes devices and refill solutions containing nicotine?" (PDF). International Journal of Drug Policy. 26: 548–553. doi:10.1016/j.drugpo.2015.02.003.
  4. ↑ "Over 30,000 Vape Stores + Travel Information for Australia". Vapetrotter Laws. Retrieved 2018-03-19.
  5. 1 2 3 "Legal status of electronic cigarettes in Australia" (PDF). Quit Victoria. Quit Vitoria. March 2015.
  6. ↑ "Electronic cigarettes". Retrieved 2015-09-02.
  7. ↑ McVeigh, Journalist Sarah (2017-04-10). "E-cigarette ban has advocates fuming". triple j. Retrieved 2017-04-11.
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