E-cigs an aid to quit smokes, says Abetz

TASMANIAN Liberal Senator Eric Abetz is calling on the government to legalise e-cigarettes, saying they allow people to satisfy their nicotine craving without the tar, additives and smoke.

As it stands, it is illegal to sell, buy or use e-cigarette cartridges containing nicotine in Tasmania as it is classed as a “dangerous poison which is very addictive”.

An e-cigarette replicates smoking, without the use of tobacco, by heating a liquid to produce a vapour that users inhale.

Mr Abetz, who recently sat on the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Law Enforcement which was looking at illicit tobacco sales, said it made good sense to wean smokers on to vaping.

“Research tells us that those that have switched to vamping have their nicotine craving sat- isfied while reporting improvements in their general health,” he said.

“It’s a bit like refusing to legislate low-alcohol beer because we don’t like the impact of alcohol in society. Most of us accept that no matter what your view on alcohol, low-alcohol beer is preferable to full strength. So it is and should be with e-cigarettes.

“The time for legalising ecigarettes or vaping has come.”

More than 500 people die a year from smoking in Tasmania, according to Department Health and Human Services figures.

However, the Therapeutic Goods Administration is yet to approve any brand of e-cigarette for the purpose of assisting people to quit smoking.

E-cigarettes may expose users to chemicals and toxins at levels that have the potential to cause health effects, the administration said.