Australia cracks down on vaping and bans imports as 'children are addicted'
Vaping among young people is growing rapidly in Australia, where one in seven children aged 14 to 17 use vapes.
Teen dragged by car over vape
Australia is set to crack down on vaping and ban imports of disposable vapes in January, the Health Minister said on Tuesday.
The ban is intended to curb the growing popularity of the nicotine-filled vapes among young people.
In March, the ban will expand to include all non-therapeutic vapes, including refillable devices.
Health Minister Mark Butler said in a news conference: "These are the vapes that have pink unicorns on them, bubblegum flavoring, disguised in order for them to hide them in their pencil cases.
"This is not a therapeutic good to help hardened smokers kick the habit. This is a good that is deliberately targeted at kids to recruit them to nicotine addiction…children are becoming addicted."
READ MORE: Teen left in coma after being ‘dragged by car over vape’
Meanwhile, importers of vapes for medical purposes will need a permit from Australia’s Office of Drug Control, Butler said.
To enforce the new rules, the new legislation will include $75 million in funding for the Australian Border Force and the Therapeutic Goods Administration.
Domestic manufacturers will be under the same prohibitions next year.
While rates of smoking in Australia are relatively low, vaping in the country is growing rapidly, especially among young people.
According to government data, around one in seven children aged 14 to 17 use vapes.
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Young people who vape are about three times more likely to take up tobacco smoking as well, the government said.
Australian Medical Association President Steve Robson said: “Australia has been a world leader in reducing smoking rates and the subsequent health harms, so the government’s decisive action to stop vaping in its tracks and prevent further harm is very welcome.”
However, to ensure the bans don’t impact smokers looking to quit, doctors and nurses will be allowed to prescribe therapeutic vapes where clinically appropriate.
But these therapeutic vapes will be restricted from having flavors and will have limited nicotine levels.
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