AMA calls on parliament to support vaping legislation
The AMA has urged all parties to support the federal government’s legislation that will tackle the dangerous and growing habit of vaping.
AMA Vice President Dr Danielle McMullen joined a press conference with the Australian Council on Smoking and Health (ACOSH) and other public health leaders to call on all parties to support the federal government’s vaping legislation.
The federal government introduced draft laws into Parliament on Thursday to tackle the growing habit of vaping and protect younger generations.
The legislation includes a ban on the domestic manufacture, supply, advertising and commercial possession of non-therapeutic vapes.
At a press conference at Parliament House on Thursday morning, Dr Danielle McMullen said: “We can’t afford in Australia to undo generations of really solid tobacco reform”.
“Those bright packets and the fun flavours hide dangerous chemicals like formaldehyde and components of weedkiller,” Dr McMullen said.
“In my clinic I have seen children as young as 14 come in to talk to me about their vape use.
"They have difficulty quitting because it’s so easy for them to pick up a vape from the corner store on the way home from school, or even other kids in the playground.”
In a media statement, AMA President Professor Steve Robson said the significant rise of vapes in recent years is a “catastrophic health concern”.
“This is a national health crisis that must be stopped in its tracks, and the only way to do that is to stop the retail sale of vapes and give people the help they need to kick this dangerous habit by moving to a prescription only model,” Professor Robson said.
