E-NICOTINE: Time for public health boundary riders to head it off at the pass
31/05/2013
Kelly Vincent is urging South Australia to take a stance against the infiltration of electronic nicotine delivery devices.
“Let’s not be the generation they laugh at in the future because we nearly beat big tobacco but then let it re-infiltrate our marketplace,” says Dignity for Disability MLC Kelly Vincent.
“Electronic cigarettes contain a battery that vaporises liquid nicotine. E-nicotine delivery systems and e-cigarettes just normalise the act of smoking, especially as media role models promote it as a safer way to smoke. Our current laws have maintained South Australia as a forward thinking society, but we need to be vigilant.
“Even if people are considering using e-cigarettes as a so-called smoking cessation method, the community need to be aware that there are better options available.
“The World Health Organisation lists group behaviour therapy sessions and intensive advice on quitting smoking delivered by a doctor as the best drug-free ways to kick the habit.
“The various nicotine substitute drugs also rate highly, and should be encouraged and supported by the government.
“If we don’t act now to tackle the hip hype around various vaporising e-cigarette devices, the natural curiosity of young people could see this habit being taken up by non-smokers. The new Marlboro man is a twenty something female movie star; we are being sold an image of a safe way to inhale.
“Regulations under the Tobacco Products Regulation Act 1997 must be amended to reflect that nicotine itself is an addictive substance. I call on the Minister for Health to act urgently, lest we slide backwards on the good progress we have made. Let’s ensure that e-nicotine delivery devices have no place in our great state,” said Ms Vincent.
World Health Organisation; Tobacco Free Initiative; Quitting Tobacco: http://www.who.int/tobacco/quitting/summary_data/en/index.html
Therapeutic Goods Administration: http://www.tga.gov.au/consumers/ecigarettes.htm
‘Some overseas studies suggest that electronic cigarettes containing nicotine may be dangerous, delivering unreliable doses of nicotine …, or containing toxic chemicals or carcinogens, or leaking nicotine. Leaked nicotine is a poisoning hazard for the user of electronic cigarettes, as well as others around them, particularly children. Dangerous and lethal doses of nicotine can be absorbed through the skin. Electronic cigarettes containing substances other than nicotine have not been assessed for safety’ Source: TGA.
