Smoking and vaping have been significant health concerns worldwide for decades. In Australia, the government has taken a series of measures to curb these habits, and recently, Health Minister Mark Butler announced new steps to crack down on smoking and vaping. These measures include increasing the tobacco tax, banning recreational vaping, and tightening regulations around e-cigarettes.
In this article, we will take a closer look at these measures, their impact on the population, and how they could contribute to a healthier Australia.
The Tobacco Tax Increase
Australia has one of the highest tobacco taxes globally, and the government has just announced an additional 5% increase in the tax each year starting from September. The increase is expected to bring in a total of $2.2 billion over four years. This decision follows an earlier $157 million boost in regulations for e-cigarettes, including new controls on their importation and packaging.
Banning Recreational Vaping
Recreational vaping will be banned as the government seeks to prevent the next generation from becoming addicted to nicotine. According to Health Minister Mark Butler, vapes contain more than 200 chemicals that do not belong in the lungs, some of which can also be found in nail polish remover and weed killer. The government will work with the states and territories to shut down the sale of vapes in retail and convenience stores, and make it easier to get a prescription for therapeutic use.
Tightening Regulations on E-cigarettes
To tackle the growing black market, the government will increase the product standards for vapes, including by restricting flavors and colors. It will require pharmaceutical-like packaging, a reduction in the maximum allowed nicotine concentrations and volumes, and a ban on single-use vapes.
"This is a product targeted at our kids," Butler said. "Vaping has become the No. 1 behavioral issue in high schools, and it’s becoming widespread in primary schools. This must end."
The Impact on Public Health
The hard-won gains in public health relating to the reduction in smoking could be undone by the "new threat" of vaping, according to Butler. Smoking rates in Australia are already low, with just 11.2% of Australians over the age of 15 smoking in 2019, according to government statistics. However, vaping rates are on the rise, and it is becoming an increasing concern for public health officials.
Steve Robson, president of the Australian Medical Association, the nation’s leading doctors group, backed the move. "We know the new young generation of Australians are being hooked on vapes, and this is a great initiative," he said.
Alcohol and Drug Foundation CEO Erin Lalor said that most people vaping in Australia were using unregulated products, with no idea what was in them. "Some people who vape, including young people, may be unknowingly consuming nicotine and have formed a dependence," she said.
A $42-million public health campaign will be launched to discourage Australians from taking up vaping and encourage those who already have to quit. Support programs helping Australians quit vaping will be bolstered by an investment of $20 million, and education among health practitioners about smoking and nicotine cessation will be strengthened. The government will commit a further $94 million for a program helping Indigenous people stop smoking, which will be expanded to include vaping.
Conclusion
Australia is taking significant steps to crack down on smoking and vaping. The government is increasing the tobacco tax, banning recreational vaping, and tightening regulations around e-cigarettes. These measures are aimed at preventing the next generation from becoming addicted to nicotine, and they are expected to have a significant impact on public health.