Chance here to smoke out tobacco
WHERE there’s smoke, there’s a vapour. At least, this is what the Government appears to be suggesting with its upcoming legislation. The Tobacco Amendment Bill 2016 will change the law so that e-cigarettes will be regulated in the same way as tobacco products.
Ostensibly this approach is reflective of caution against harmful products. However, this is not at all in line with evidence.
Recent reviews have found e-cigarettes to be 95 per cent safer than smoking, and that these products do no encourage further uptake. In particular, the Royal College of Physicians has strongly supported their use.
They’re used almost exclusively in the UK by smokers who are trying to cut down or quit smoking, or who have quit smoking. Over a million people in the UK have used these products to quit smoking.
They’ve been so successful that the UK government is now proposing their promotion to smokers who cannot or do not want to quit.
The Victorian legislation changes the definition of smoke to include vaping, going against the most basic science 101 understanding of the word.
Any definition examined will tell you that smoke is the result of some form of ignition — it’s what occurs when something is burnt. Combustion is not a part of the vaping process — by definition these devices emit a vapour, not smoke.
Fundamentally, this is treating products without nicotine the same as those with nicotine. The sale of vaping products containing nicotine is prohibited — any attempt to suggest this is about protecting people from nicotine is disingenuous.
Under this legislation, vapers will need to stand with smokers, purchase their material from vendors who sell cigarettes, or turn to online vendors in order to obtain equipment.
For a person attempting to quit or cutting down smoking, this is a significant barrier.
Currently, vendors provide information, instructions on the various kinds of personal vaporisers available, and can allow people to sample and try various products. For consumers, this means education and advice before purchasing a personal vaporiser — meaning you’re more likely to walk away with something that will work for you.
By no means am I saying such products should be left without regulation or clarity. The current question of “Can I vape here?” suggests we’re still struggling to figure out our relationship with personal vaporisers.
Ensuring these products are only sold in 18+ venues and that there is appropriate regulation around the ingredients of vaping products is important. However, the bill does not do this.
It won’t allow specialist providers to help customers with their selection. It won’t provide an avenue through which we can undertake research and monitoring of this industry in an effective manner.
The reality is that vaping is not a panacea — it will not work for every person seeking to quit or cut down on smoking. But it is an option, a start, and a much safer one than continuing to smoke.
Simply lumping smoking in with vaping is inaccurate, and will cost Victoria an opportunity to improve the health and wellbeing of individuals and the wider public. Fiona Patten is the member for Northern Metropolitan Region and leader of the Australian Sex Party.