According to a report by Croakey on June 24th, the Australian federal government's plans for stricter regulation of e-cigarettes has faced opposition from the National Party and the Greens in the Senate. In response, health leaders have issued an open letter urging support for the proposed legislation.
Previously, the Australian Medical Association had directly challenged National Party leader David Littleproud. In a strongly-worded article, the association accused the National Party of opposing the ban on e-cigarettes to serve tobacco lobbying groups.
This open letter is jointly signed by various health organizations and public health experts, and includes signatures from Australian doctors, certified pharmacists, nurses, public health experts, teachers, mental health and social workers, advocates, caregivers, and parents across all medical fields.
The contents of the open letter are as follows:
The tobacco and e-cigarette industry, along with its allies, are working to addict a new generation of young Australians through their e-cigarette products.
In the past month, one-sixth of Australian children aged 12 to 17 have used e-cigarettes. Ninety percent of e-cigarette stores are located near schools, and most teenagers say they can easily access e-cigarettes.
The marketing strategies of the tobacco and e-cigarette industries are intentionally targeting young people.
These devices deliver high doses of nicotine, causing addiction to accelerate.
We need to prevent the tobacco and e-cigarette industry and its allies from making it easy for children and young people to access e-cigarettes.
This bill aims to close the loopholes that retail and online stores have been using to prevent them from selling illegal e-cigarettes to children. If passed, it would mean that convenience stores, small shops, and gas stations will no longer be able to sell e-cigarettes to children.
As representatives we have a crucial opportunity to prevent the decades of success in preventing tobacco and nicotine use among children from going to waste.
You can protect our children while also ensuring that those who want to quit smoking can access e-cigarette products through a prescription model.
Eighty-seven percent of Australian adults support reform to prevent the sale of e-cigarettes to those under 18 years old.
We stand with them and urge you to do the same.
The time to take action is now.
Support this bill.
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