News that Australian Health Minister Greg Hunt is delaying the ban of imported nicotine vaping products for personal use
into Australia for another six months - until 1 January 2021 – is being welcomed by the Aotearoa Vapers Community
Advocacy (AVCA).
“This is a huge win for vapers across Australia and every smokefree advocate who voiced their opposition to the rushed
and non-sensical approach,” says Nancy Loucas, co-director of AVCA - New Zealand’s vaping consumer advocacy
organisation.
“But the fight is by no means over. With the Federal Government backing down, Australians now have the best opportunity
to push for the legalisation and regulation of nicotine vaping. It’s well overdue!”
After Mr Hunt unilaterally announced the 1 July ban on nicotine imports a week ago, the backlash was swift and severe
including a revolt from Government MPs, two of which set up a petition which attracted over 60,000 signatures in just
two days.
At the time AVCA described the ban, which would’ve also made the current mandatory prescriptions for nicotine vaping
near impossible, as appalling public policy.
“Cigarettes kill 21,000 Australians a year and are freely available on every corner of Australia without prescription.
Yet the tobacco industry maintains protection from the Federal Government. Things need to change before more Australian
lives are lost!”
She says Australia’s 300,000-strong vaping community now has six months to convince their legislators to come up with a
risk-proportionate regulatory framework and guidelines for consumer access to nicotine vaping – work which New Zealand
is in the process of completing.
“Rather than just delaying the inevitable, the time has come for Australia to legislate nicotine vape products, which
are considerably safer than tobacco, as a legitimate consumer good with all the relevant product safety provisions and
stringent youth protections.
“I encourage Australian smokefree advocates and vapers to check out the vaping bill currently before New Zealand’s
Parliament. It’s certainly not perfect, but it will keep Kiwis off cigarettes and save citizens’ lives – something every
country should be doing,” says Nancy Loucas.
About AVCA
AVCA was formed in 2016 by vapers across New Zealand wanting their voices heard in local and central government. All
members are former smokers who promote vaping to help smokers quit - a much less harmful alternative to combustible
tobacco products. AVCA does not have any affiliation or vested interest in industry - tobacco, pharmaceutical and/or the
local vaping manufacturing or retail sectors.
ENDS