Release: Democratic processes go up in smoke

Release: Democratic processes go up in smoke

Last Friday, the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) at the behest of Health Minister Greg Hunt announced new restrictions on the import of nicotine vape products.  Legalise Vaping Australia pointed out that this is the simply the last incident in what has been a pattern of undermining vaping by Greg Hunt.

“Greg Hunt has disregarded the coalition party room and mislead the public right and left on the subject of vaping,” said Legalise Vaping Australia Policy Director, Emilie Dye. “Hunt has made a mockery of the system by acting on his own discretion instead of letting democracy function.”

“Even after taxpayers’ spent $750,000.00  on an independent scientific review from the Australian National University on vaping. He stated that he would never legalise vaping, disregarding the ANU’s potential findings. He then delayed the review for over a year and passed this legislation before the ANU could present their findings.”

“Instead of using recent reports, the TGA cites old data to say, ‘there is currently insufficient evidence on vaping.’ If Greg Hunt would like current evidence on the benefits of nicotine vaping, we recommend he look at data that isn’t over half a decade old.”

“While big tobacco companies will likely profit from these changes, the Australian people most definitely will not.”

“As long as Australia remains a democratic society, Greg Hunt should not have the authority to rule by ministerial decree or to make policy changes through un-elected bureaucrats.”

Legalise Vaping Australia today urged pro-vaping MPs to hold Greg Hunt accountable.