Electronic cigarette activists from around the world are urging the Australian Department of Health to cease their ongoing crackdown on the local electronic cigarette industry. This call to action comes in response to a notice received by electronic cigarette shop owners in Australia, demanding that they cease operations within 14 days.
Seventeen global vaping consumer organizations have signed a joint letter supporting Australian vapers. Michael Randell, the Director of the world vaping advocacy group, the Global e-cigarette and Vape Forum, stated that such actions could lead to a public health crisis.
Vaping is a lifeline for over 80 million people trying to quit smoking. It is currently the most successful tool for smoking cessation, recognized in countries such as the UK, France, and New Zealand. Closing vape shops not only forces vapers to turn to the black market for their preferred products but also prevents many smokers from quitting traditional cigarettes, as they will struggle to find alternatives in the market. Limiting access to harm reduction tools while leaving traditional tobacco products on the market sets the stage for a public health disaster, according to Randall.
The lack of available products will increase the number of illicit products on the black market.
The letter emphasized to Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison that the so-called provisions in the Tobacco Act prohibiting the sale of all electronic cigarette materials and e-liquids mentioned by health inspectors do not actually exist. It also explained that a complete ban would prevent high-quality products from legally entering the market, resulting in an increase of illegal and low-quality products on the black market, which could have disastrous consequences for public health.
Vaping has helped millions of Australians quit smoking, but due to a lack of access to reliable information and high-quality products on the market, many e-cigarette users who quit smoking with vaping face the risk of turning to the black market or returning to traditional cigarettes. The current crackdown on e-cigarette shops is putting the lives of millions of Western Australians at risk and needs to be addressed immediately.
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