Experts are calling for stricter e-cigarette laws in Australia as the country experiences a surge in the number of young people developing a harmful habit. They warn that the country is facing a "frog in boiling water" situation.
Researchers have found that in the state of Victoria, young adults aged 18 to 30 make up half of the state's smokers, with the number of e-cigarette users reaching a record high.
According to a smoking and health survey in Victoria, the number of young women aged 18 to 24 who use electronic cigarettes has skyrocketed from 2.8% in 2018 to 19% to 15.2% in 2022.
Dr. Sandro Demaio, CEO of VicHealth, has called for strengthening national borders to "protect young people." He stated, "What we have seen in recent years is a flood of cheap imported and highly addictive products entering the market, with young people getting caught up in them. These products contain over 200 chemicals, many of which are currently illegal." He added that most of these products contain nicotine, but it is simply not labeled as such.
DeMaio calls on Australian government to crackdown on electronic cigarette smuggling.
We have seen a huge increase. In four years, adult usage in Victoria has doubled, and usage among young women has increased five-fold," says Demaio. Manufacturers are flooding the market with colorful and flavorful e-cigarettes that are attractive to younger consumers. "They use colors and flavors to attract young people, such as fruit loops and milk," he adds. "They come in shapes like highlighters and hoodie buttons, so you can sneak them into school and make it difficult for parents and teachers to find them.
Demaio has stated that the federal government needs to intervene urgently and tighten borders to prevent an increase in the number of people using e-cigarettes. Additionally, he suggests that Victoria needs to implement a licensing scheme to identify those selling e-cigarettes and combat the growing black market. Current laws dictate that Australians require a prescription to obtain e-cigarettes containing nicotine. Importing and selling nicotine e-cigarettes in Australia are also illegal.
Statement:
This article is compiled from information from a third party source and is intended for industry discussions and learning purposes.
This article does not represent the views of 2FIRSTS, and 2FIRSTS cannot confirm the authenticity and accuracy of the content. The translation of this article is solely intended for industry exchange and research purposes.
As the compilation abilities are limited, the translated article may not express the same meaning as the original. It is advised to refer to the original article for accuracy.
2FIRSTS maintains complete alignment with the Chinese government regarding any domestic, Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, or foreign issues and positions.
The copyright of compiled information belongs to the original media and author. If there is any infringement, please contact us for deletion.
Disclaimer
This article is provided solely for professional research, industry discussion, and informational purposes. Any references to brands, companies, products, technologies, or policies are made for factual reporting and analytical purposes only, and do not constitute endorsement, recommendation, promotion, or advertising by 2Firsts.
Nicotine-containing products, including but not limited to cigarettes, e-cigarettes, heated tobacco products, and nicotine pouches, carry significant health risks. Readers are responsible for complying with all applicable laws and regulations in their respective jurisdictions, including age restrictions and access limitations.
The information contained in this article should not be regarded as investment, legal, medical, regulatory, or commercial advice. While 2Firsts strives to ensure the accuracy and reliability of its content, it does not assume liability for any direct or indirect loss arising from errors, omissions, inaccuracies, or reliance on the information contained herein.
This article is not intended for individuals below the legal age for accessing tobacco or nicotine-related information in their jurisdiction.
Copyright Notice
This article is either original content produced by 2Firsts or content reproduced, translated, summarized, or adapted from third-party sources with attribution where applicable. The intellectual property rights of the original content remain with 2Firsts or the respective original rights holders.
No individual or organization may copy, reproduce, distribute, republish, modify, translate, or otherwise use this content without prior authorization. Any unauthorized use may result in legal action.
For copyright-related inquiries, corrections, or removal requests, please contact: info@2firsts.com.
AI-Assisted Translation and Editing Notice
Portions of this article may have been translated, edited, or reviewed with the assistance of artificial intelligence tools to improve efficiency and readability. Due to the limitations of AI-assisted translation and editing, discrepancies, omissions, or inaccuracies may exist when compared with the original source.
Where applicable, readers are advised to refer to the original source for the most complete and accurate information. If you identify any errors or believe that any content infringes upon your rights, please contact us at info@2firsts.com, and we will review and address the matter promptly.
