AMA attends high level tobacco control meeting

E-cigarettes were again on the agenda as young people continue to take up vaping.   

The AMA attended a roundtable hosted by Health Minister Mark Butler in Adelaide late last month to discuss current tobacco control regulatory settings in Australia and the emerging harms and increased uptake of e-cigarettes. 

The roundtable was comprised of public health experts, academics and leaders on tobacco control including Professor Emily Banks, Professor Tom Calma, Professor Simon Chapman, A/Professor Becky Freeman, Maurice Swanson and Adjunct Professor Terry Slevin.  

The roundtable was given an update from the Commonwealth Department of Health on progress towards finalising the National Tobacco Strategy, including an overview of the consultation process and timeframes to finalisation, which will hopefully be by the end of the year.. 

Although Australia’s success in tobacco regulation and harm reduction is internationally recognised, smoking remains Australia’s leading cause of death and disability, with more needing to be done in tobacco control to protect public health.  

E-cigarette use in Australia is increasing, with more than one third of e-cigarette users in Australia aged under 25, and half aged under 30. The roundtable received presentations of the current evidence base on e-cigarette use in Australia from Professor Banks, and specific insights into the motivations for uptake amongst young people from A/Professor Becky Freeman.  

The roundtable discussed the current regulatory framework around e-cigarettes including the prescription-only model for nicotine vaping products and options for a strengthened response to reduce uptake, particularly amongst young people. 

The AMA submission to the draft National Tobacco Strategy can be found here.