Coalition vape plan a win for Big Tobacco and loss for Public Health
The Australian Council on Smoking and Health (ACOSH), representing 33 major health and community organisations across Australia, strongly opposes the Coalition’s plan to introduce an open retail model for vaping products, if elected.
The policy, just revealed in the Federal Coalition election costings, will see the legalisation of vape sales through retail outlets and dramatically increase access to vapes by young Australians.
“This is exactly what Big Tobacco have been asking for,” said Laura Hunter, ACOSH CEO. “It will recklessly flood the market, fuel youth addiction, and undo years of public health progress.”
Countries like the UK and New Zealand have tried the retail model and failed spectacularly to keep vapes out of kids’ hands. Australia must learn from this and not repeat their mistake.
The costings indicate the Coalition intends to tax vaping products to obtain income. “There is never a scenario where trading kids’ health for income is acceptable”, said Ms Hunter.
“Vapes do not belong in the hands of retailers who we know are selling to our kids. It normalises addiction, and is a strategy aimed only at building the next generation of nicotine customers for the tobacco industry.”
We urge the Coalition to reconsider their position.
ENDS
For media comment please contact:
Laura Hunter Chief Executive Officer
Australian Council of Smoking and Health
Mobile 0415 295 403
About ACOSH
ACOSH is an independent, non-government, not for profit coalition which represents 31 prominent health, research, social service and community organisations with a shared concern about smoking and vaping and their harmful consequences.
ACOSH has been a leading advocate for all the regulatory and legislative changes to reduce the impact of smoking on the Australian community and is supported by the Healthway — the Western Australian Health Promotion Foundation.