David Crisafulli, Steven Miles say children vaping needs to be brought to an end

Opposition Leader David Crisafulli claims the state government can be doing more to stop kids from vaping at schools and prevent tobacco companies from “getting their claws” into the next generation of children.

Both of the leaders are keen to keep the vape crackdown continuing.

Opposition Leader David Crisafulli claims the state government can be doing more to stop kids from vaping at schools and prevent tobacco companies from “getting their claws” into the next generation of children.

The leaders were asked by reader Robyn from Beenleigh, “what will your government do to crack down on vaping among school children?”

Mr Crisafulli called for greater state-led action, focusing on education and enforcement, but was light on detail on what that added enforcement would entail under an LNP government.

“When kids go to school, they need to be taught about that this is not some sort of trending next-generation clean cigarette, they are dangerous,” he said.

“There have been reports that there are more illegal tobacconists than legal ones.

“Don’t get me wrong, there’s a large play out of Canberra as well, but there is a real opportunity for the state to step up its enforcement.”

Premier Steven Miles meanwhile highlighted his government’s ongoing efforts, stating that authorities were “already cracking down on vaping” through a joint operation involving Queensland Health, police, and federal agencies that targeted distributors.

More than 220,000 vapes have been seized by a joint taskforce.

“It’s part of a wider crackdown that includes illicit tobacco,” he said.

“They’ve already seized thousands of vapes.

“That program will continue.”

In 2023-24 more than 24.5 million illicit cigarettes, 9.1 tonnes of loose tobacco and 223,020 vapes were seized from dodgy Queensland retailers by the joint taskforce.

Originally published as David Crisafulli, Steven Miles say children vaping needs to be brought to an end