Butler’s vape proposal puts logic second
Health Minister Mark Butler aims to end the $2.7 billion black market in nicotine vaping products. His proposed reforms double down on the prescription-only model, which is currently used by not even 10 per cent of Australia’s vapers. By placing restrictions on flavourings and nicotine, the prescription model will become even less effective.
But let’s imagine that Butler’s reforms work – and vapers are drawn into pharmacies after 18 months of resistance.
Current guidelines advise doctors to only prescribe nicotine vaping products for three months. So that’s four visits to the doctor a year for two million Australians.
Remember, about 90 per cent of vapers don’t have a prescription and about 98 per cent purchase outside a pharmacy setting (which will soon be mandatory).
Medicare Benefits Schedule codes for a GP are $76.95 for an initial smoking cessation consultation (over 20 minutes) and $39.75 for a consultation under 20 minutes.
Assuming most GPs bill conservatively, each vaper will cost Medicare a tick under $200 per year.
If Butler’s plan works, that equates to an unfunded Medicare bill of
$1.5 billion over the forward estimates. And that doesn’t take into account the cost to patients and doctors’ time, during a supposed Medicare crisis and GP shortage.
Any fair-minded person must consider what $1.5 billion could fund in desperately needed health and hospital services. A very different regulatory approach was essential from the beginning. Unfortunately, the minister has failed to understand the proper role of vaping to reduce harm from smoking and a riskproportionate approach to its availability.
We have already seen the outcomes of effective vaping policies in countries such as New Zealand and the UK. Policy needs to balance access by adult smokers wishing to quit, while keeping vapes out of the hands of young people.
This model has worked in every other western country and helped to substantially reduce smoking rates.
Mark Butler’s reforms put
Australia out of step, ensure a continued vape black market and guarantee no progress on reducing adult smoking.