Release: Vapers, Federal MPs declare war on TGA and Health Minister
Release: Vapers, Federal MPs declare war on TGA and Health Minister
Legalise Vaping Australia has declared war on the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) and the Minister of Health, Greg Hunt. Legalise Vaping Australia, Senator Canavan and George Christensen, and tens thousands of thousands of Australians have raised their voices against the TGA’s import ban on e-cigarettes and vape liquid contain nicotine.
Individuals caught shipping nicotine vape products from abroad will face fines up to $220,000 as of July 1. This change was implemented by unelected bureaucrats under a ministerial decree from the Greg Hunt, completely bypassing the democratic system. Senator Matthew Canavan and George Christensen MP have launched an open revolt and started a petition to overturn the import bans on nicotine vape liquid and to instead legalise and regulate it. And over 30,000 Australians have signed a petition by Legalise Vaping Australia in support of bringing safe, properly-regulated nicotine vapes to Australia.
“Greg Hunt and the TGA have shown a complete disregard for human life and the democratic system in Australia,” said Legalise Vaping Australia Policy Director, Emilie Dye. “At LVA we, with the support of thousands of Australians, are fighting not only to stop this regulation from ruining lives but also to fully legalise and properly-regulate nicotine vaping.”
“Every other OECD nation, with the exception of Turkey, has legalised vaping. The UK has even started opening vape shops in hospitals to assist smokers trying to quit.”
Disregard for life
“Currently, 300,000 Australians depend on nicotine vapes. Many of those Aussies, still addicted to nicotine, will be forced to revert to cigarettes. And ciggies kill 2 in 3 long-term users,” said the Director of Policy for Legalise Vaping Australia, Emilie Dye. “This regulatory change is a death sentence for thousands.”
“Vaping is 95 per cent less harmful than smoking. No one has ever died from legal, properly-regulated vaping products. Meanwhile, smoking kills 58 Australians every day.”
“Here at Legalise Vaping Australia, we have received correspondence from vapers threatening to kill themselves should the TGA import ban go forward as planned on 1 July 2020. This is so much more than merely a policy debate. ’’
“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.”
Disregard for democracy
“The people were not given a voice in this regulatory change,” said Legalise Vaping Australia Policy Director, Emilie Dye. “The TGA announced the rescheduling of nicotine and the change in the import regulations when parliament was not sitting, and the changes are set to take effect before parliament plans to meet again in August.”
“In a Party Room discussion, the majority sided in favour of legalising vaping. There is broad-based support for vaping both in parliament and in the broader public. By using unelected bureaucrats to rewrite regulations, Greg Hunt and the TGA have bypassed the people of Australia.”
“Even after taxpayers’ spent $750,000.00 on an independent scientific review from the Australian National University on vaping. Greg Hunt 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.”
“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. Thankfully, now members of parliament are hitting back and they are calling Quiet Australians to join them. This is how Australian democracy is meant to function, not through ministerial decree,” said Legalise Vaping Policy Director, Emilie Dye.
“Senator Canavan and George Christensen are working to save the lives of thousands of Australians who depend on vaping as they work to achieve a healthy smoke-free lifestyle.”
Hitting back
The Australian people are raising their voices against the recent regulatory changes made by the TGA and are calling for the legalisation of nicotine vaping. As of writing this release, over 34,000 people have signed a petition to legalise vaping in response to the TGA’s ban on the import of nicotine vape products. And 22,000 have signed the petition put forward by Senator Canavan and George Christensen MP -- With over 2,500 signing every hour.
“Australians are not quiet; regulators are silencing their voices. The tens of thousands of Aussies who have signed petitions in favour of legalising vaping deserve to have their voices heard.”
“We will not stop fighting until this bill is overturned, Greg Hunt is fired, and vaping is legalised in Australia.”