Vaping crackdown will make it harder for criminals to get children hooked
The President of the Australian Medical Association in South Australia (AMA(SA)) Dr John Williams says the Malinauskas Government’s vaping crackdown is a much-needed step towards tackling an emerging public health catastrophe and keeping children safe.
The President of the Australian Medical Association in South Australia (AMA(SA)) Dr John Williams says the Malinauskas Government’s vaping crackdown is a much-needed step towards tackling an emerging public health catastrophe and keeping children safe.
New legislation, being introduced to parliament today, will significantly toughen controls and penalties relating to the sale and use of vapes and tobacco products in South Australia.
Dr Williams says the laws will reduce the widespread availability of vapes by imposing much harsher penalties and closing many loopholes.
‘We applaud the Malinauskas Government for making South Australia a nation-leader in the fight against vaping,’ Dr Williams says.
‘AMA has been leading the campaign for vaping reform for a long time and we hope these tougher laws will make it harder for criminals to get children hooked.’
Figures released by Preventive Health SA in June revealed an alarming surge in vape use among young South Australians.
The number of 15 to 29-year-olds using e-cigarettes increased to 15.1 per cent in 2023, from 8.4 per cent in 2022. For the first time there are more e-cigarette users than there are smokers.
‘After decades of progress reducing the use of tobacco, suddenly we’ve seen an explosion of vaping use in young South Australians,’ Dr Williams says.
‘We need to stop the advancement of vaping now, before it becomes much harder to turn back the tide.
The legislation being introduced to South Australia’s parliament will reinforce federal laws which passed the Senate in June.
Dr Williams says it’s crucial that leaders at all levels of government continue to play their part.
‘As more time passes, further evidence is coming to light about the extensive dangers of vaping,’ Dr Williams says.
‘We’re glad politicians are listening to the evidence and the overwhelming advice from AMA and public health experts all over the country that vapes are shockingly bad for your health.
‘GPs have been helping patients with nicotine dependence for decades and are the best placed to support patients quitting smoking and vaping.’
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