Australia is restricting the sale of e-cigarettes in shops. The so-called vapes should only be available with a doctor’s prescription at the pharmacy for people who want to quit smoking.
In addition, Health Secretary Mark Butler is increasing the tax on nicotine by 5 percent per year for the next three years to discourage smoking.
E-cigarettes often have all kinds of colors and flavors and that is also limited. The vapes will have a ‘pharmacy-like appearance’ and the number of flavors will be limited.
“These must be products that come from the pharmacy. It will be simple packaging with simple flavors,” says Butler. Furthermore, several harmful substances in the e-cigarette will be banned and the amount of legally permitted nicotine will be reduced.
According to the Australian government, the measures are necessary because the vapes are an attractive way for young people to start smoking. The sweet flavors that can be used in the e-cigarette lower the threshold to start smoking, according to the minister.
‘Good way to get rid of smoking’
For people who want to quit smoking cigarettes, vaping is made easier, because according to the government it is a good way to get rid of smoking. All doctors can prescribe an e-cigarette due to the new rules, while it was more difficult at first.
The Trimbos Institute concluded years ago that e-cigarettes are more harmful than previously thought and that Dutch public health benefits most from discouragement:
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