Tougher legislation on way for e-cigarette smoking
E-CIGARETTES would be banned in non-smoking areas such as outdoor dining venues, just like tobacco cigarettes, under proposed legislation.
E-CIGARETTES would be banned in non-smoking areas such as outdoor dining venues, just like tobacco cigarettes, under proposed legislation.
Retailers would not be allowed to sell the vaporisers to children, nor advertise or promote e-cigarette products.
Substance Abuse Minister Leesa Vlahos will release proposed regulations for public consultation in the new year, in line with recommendations from a parliamentary committee.
It is believed about 20,100 South Australians use e-cigarettes — or about 1.2 per cent of the population — and the devices are growing in popularity.
The battery-operated devices vaporise a refillable cartridge of nicotine solution to create a vapour that the user inhales, simulating the action of smoking. Some use flavoured liquids without nicotine.
E-cigarettes have been sold in Australia for about four years but legislation governing their sale and use varies around the nation.
Western Australia has banned the sale of vaporisers.
Queensland, New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory have put restrictions in place and Victoria will regulate the devices from August next year.
“With easy access to e-cigarettes, there is the strong potential for increased use among young people,” Ms Vlahos said.
“While research into the health impacts of e-cigarettes is still underway, I am confident that the regulation of these devices will reduce any wider public health impact.”
A parliamentary committee held an inquiry into e-cigarettes, prompted by the concerns of Labor MP Annabel Digance about the potential long-term health risks.
Ms Digance said current laws allowed people to use e-cigarettes on the bus or in a workplace “whereas laws preventing people from smoking in these same spaces have been in place for years”.
Concerned that the Government is moving too slowly on the issue, Liberal MP and E-Cigarettes committee member Vincent Tarzia has flagged he will introduce legislation to Parliament next month to regulate the devices.
His Bill would prevent the sale of e-cigarettes to children and ban their sale online or by phone.
“We need to make sure that e-cigarettes do not act as a gateway to tobacco smoking,” Mr Tarzia said.
The parliamentary committee reported in February, making 20 recommendations including:
BANNING e-cigarettes in areas where tobacco smoking is banned.
PREVENTING the sale of e-cigarettes to people aged under 18.
BANNING advertising of e-cigarettes or offering pricing specials or promotions.
CALLING for more research on the effects of e-cigarettes on users, including pregnant women and foetuses, infants and children and people with respiratory illness or chronic illness.
The committee received 142 submissions and took evidence from 11 people, including from tobacco companies, e-cigarette retailers and users and tobacco smokers.