Tasmanian not-for-profit St Lukes is thrilled to see the State Government taking the national lead to better protect our future generations against the scourge of vaping, announcing reforms to significantly reduce the use and uptake of vapes, particularly among young people.
CEO Paul Lupo said St Lukes had been advocating tirelessly on behalf of the Tasmanian community for a tougher stance on vaping at a state level, after the federal anti-vaping legislation was significantly watered down.
“The community have made their views on the inherent harms of vaping clear, and we have been proud to advocate on their behalf to ensure our children are protected from highly addictive vapes, as we continue our work to make Tasmania the healthiest island on the planet,” Mr Lupo said.
“We commend the Health Minister for doing what’s right for the community, and we look forward to seeing the detail of the State Government’s draft legislation and better understanding how it will work.
“This will include identifying what role the Federal Government could play to further strengthen this model and keep vapes off the black-market.
“We call on all Tasmanian parties to keep politics out of health and support this legislation, to ensure our children’s futures are put ahead of the interests of big tobacco companies.
“Through our advocacy, we have spoken to numerous health and community sector leaders who have emphasised the diversity of harms vaping products are having on our kids, including their impact on mental health, including increased rates of depression and anxiety.
“We know young people experiencing high levels of psychological distress are four times more likely to use vapes and big tobacco’s shameless exploitation of some of our most vulnerable young people is a disgrace.
“This is a big win for the Tasmanian community and a proud moment for our state.”
The proposed legislation will:
- ban the sale of vape products for children and young people under 18 years, with or without a prescription; and
- ensure e-cigarettes can only be supplied by pharmacies to people 18 years or over with a prescription.
Additional resources, including a guide to support young people to quite E-cigarettes, can be found here. Guide to Supporting Young People Quit E-cigarettes | Tasmanian Department of Health
ENDS