FROM THE DEPUTY PRINCIPAL

Over the last couple of decades, there has been a widespread attempt to reduce the population of smokers in this country. Plain packaging, ever increasing tax rates on cigarettes and strict controls around advertising have reduced the number of those who are taking it up. Arguably, the latest attempt to ween smokers off cigarettes saw the Australian Government allow the marketing of e-cigarettes and vapes under the guise that they were less harmful than cigarettes and could help those addicted to cigarettes to give up smoking. However, it can be maintained that the marketing of vapes has been aimed at young people to get a new generation of users addicted to the product.  Regardless of their look and flavours, these vapes often contain nicotine and just like traditional cigarettes will lead to addiction.

The growing prevalence of the use of vapes among young people is a concern. “According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, more than 1 in 5 (21.7%) young Australians aged 18-24 and 7.6% of 15-17-year olds have used an e-cigarette or vaping device at least. It’s likely that these figures are under-reported because responses were provided by an adult living in the same household.” Whether a young person takes up vaping to enjoy the smell or taste, or because it’s done by friends and peers on social occasions, the fact remains it’s another one of those cases when involvement in the activity can lead to continued use and addiction.

In order to reduce the number of people vaping, the Australian Government has announced that it will crack down on their prevalence in Australia. Since 2021, it has been “illegal to buy, possess, import, or use a nicotine-containing e-cigarette with no a prescription.” However, under new laws the “importation of all vaping devices, whether they contain nicotine or not, will be illegal, except by pharmacists.” This step has been taken in response to the concern that the growing black market in vapes is contributing to child and adolescent vaping and nicotine addiction. At this stage, there is no firm date for the implementation of these regulations, but the federal health minister, Mark Butler has indicated that the “reforms will be implemented with urgency.” It is also important to note that it is already illegal to sell vapes to those under the age of 18.

Further information from the Alcohol and Drug Foundation about young people and vaping can be found here. This includes a factsheet, which helps those who wish to have conversations with young people about vaping.

Cameran Triffett

DEPUTY PRINCIPAL