LVA welcomes Australian Association of Convenience Stores research

Legalise Vaping Australia (LVA) welcomed new research, commissioned by the Australian Association of Convenience Stores and released today, which shows the majority of Australians support legalisation of smoke-free alternatives like e-cigarettes and vaporisers.

“It is absurd that a 95 per cent less harmful alternative to smoking is illegal in Australia, while overseas in countries like the UK, US, across the EU and New Zealand, smokers are able to access legal, properly regulated smoke-free products to help them quit for good,” said LVA Campaign Director Mr Marlow said.

“Each year, almost 19,000 Australians are dying from smoking related disease, and we know smoking is still the leading cause of cancer in Australia.

“After years of trying and failing to help Australians quit, we need a better way to reduce smoking rates. We need a legislative and regulatory regime that supports the sale of these products to ensure people have the best chance to quit cigarettes.

“This research is proof our politicians and public health authorities cannot continue to ignore if we are truly committed to reducing the smoking rate, and giving smokers a less harmful alternative.”

In spite of anti-vaping campaigners misleading claims about a lack of scientific evidence, more than 55 scientific studies which show these products are less harmful than traditional cigarettes and can help people quit smoking.

This includes a 2018 CSIRO review which said smoke-free products like e-cigarettes and vaporisers do not produce smoke. As the biggest cancer risk comes from combustion of tobacco, it means they are also better for people around smokers.

Internationally, governments and public health authorities are open to the potential benefits of smoke-free alternatives. The New Zealand Medical Association supports the use of nicotine-containing e-cigarettes for adults. Public Health England says vaping is 95 per cent less harmful than smoking and guidance to doctors recommends smoke-free products as quit aids. 

In Australia, the Royal Australia and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists supports risk-proportionate regulation and harm reduction, and so does Drug and Alcohol Nurses of Australasia, who are working on the front line of health care.   

Contact
Brian Marlow
Campaign Director - Legalise Vaping Australia
0439 138 826
bmarlow@taxpayers.org.au