With vapes still widely available despite coming regulatory changes, many Australians support even stricter control up to an outright ban according to new research.
Over 16 focus groups, participants voiced alarm over the easy access teens currently have to vaping products. They recommend more restrictions around sales and marketing to curb uptake.
Study Finds Strong Public Backing for Vape Crackdowns
In a recent study in BMJ Open, 139 Australians aged 14-39 shared perspectives on vaping policies. The research uncovered:
- Less than half knew vapes will soon only be accessible via prescription
- All groups suggested further limits like plain packaging, health warnings, banning flavors and expanding smoke-free zones
- A majority endorse supply-reduction measures including banning all e-cigarettes
“Participants were saying to us: ‘I don’t understand the prescription model because I can still buy vapes anywhere,'” said study co-author Associate Professor Michelle Jongenelis.
Indeed, public sentiment favors getting vapes out of corner stores and enforcing the coming pharmacy-only restrictions.
Sweeping 2024 Reforms Seek to Curb Teen Vaping
After January 1st, importing disposable vapes was banned except in limited circumstances. Further import rules come into effect this March.
Under the new prescription framework, only doctors and nurse practitioners can prescribe vapes. And pharmacists become the sole legal suppliers and importers of nicotine e-liquids.
Jongenelis argues that fully shutting down unauthorized vape shops is essential for Australians to realize regulations now exist. Education around requiring prescriptions will also prove critical to transition smokers away from retail purchases.
Recommendations Mirror New Government Policies
Despite conducting focus groups prior to recent policy changes, the study’s suggestions largely mirror adopted reforms.
Associate Professor Jongenelis sees industry-funded advertising campaigns against the new rules as propaganda ignoring most citizens’ views. With wide public support, vaping companies aren’t likely to sway votes urging the government to walk back regulatory progress.
Modelling Highlights Healthcare Costs of Teen Smoking
Economic modelling from researcher Louisa Gordon estimates 13% of teen vapers go on to smoke tobacco. This translates to over 110,000 new Australian smokers annually.
Gordon conservatively calculated an added $180 million yearly in respiratory disease, cancer, and heart disease costs. This comes on top of $2.6 billion in existing smoking healthcare expenditures.
Cracking down on vapes promises massive public health cost savings by preventing downstream smoking. As Gordon concluded, “…the government’s initiatives on vaping will cost some money, but the savings to the health system are going to be massive.”
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