Treasurer Jim Chalmers slams vaping ‘explosion’

Treasurer Jim Chalmers has slammed an “explosion” of vaping including among teenagers hinting that a big change could be looming.

Treasurer Jim Chalmers has slammed an “explosion” of vaping including among teenagers, hinting that it may soon be subject to tougher taxes.

Amid reports the rise of vaping has blown a $5 billion hole in the budget, the Albanese Government is considering “all options.”

“We’ve seen an explosion in vaping in particular, that is incredibly concerning to me, not just as the country’s Treasurer, but as a parent and as an Australian,’’ Dr Chalmers said.

“This is a problem for the budget but much more importantly than that this is a problem for our society,’’ he said.

Treasurer Jim Chalmers has slammed an “explosion” of vaping including among teenagers. Picture: Martin Ollman/Getty Images

The rise of vaping has blown a $5 billion hole in the budget. Picture: Patrick T. Fallon / AFP

Dr Chalmers said he was deeply concerned as a parent about the rise of vaping.

“I think anyone who’s driven past the bus stops has seen, in particular, the way that vaping is spreading amongst our young people,’’ he said.

“These are incredibly concerning developments. I’m incredibly concerned about the explosion in vaping that we’ve seen in recent times, in particular.

“Now my colleague Mark Butler, is working with his state counterparts and also with the health experts to see what can be done to clamp down on this vaping in particular, and all of the associated issues in the health system and in our community.

“The status quo is unacceptable and that means that all options and should be on the table isn’t a $5 billion problem and how will you feel well those numbers were provided independently on their budget which will be handed down in four weeks time.”

Nationals leader David Littleproud has conceded the Coalition “failed” to stop children vaping. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gary Ramage

Nationals leader David Littleproud has conceded the Coalition “failed” to stop children vaping but is still calling to make e-cigarettes more available in convenience stores.

Under current laws Australians need to get a doctor’s prescription in order to legally purchase e-cigarettes with nicotine.

Despite the junior Coalition partner’s proposal being rubbished by several health experts, Mr Littleproud was out advocating for the policy again on Monday.

“Well, we tried, and I’ve got to say we failed when we were in government,” he told Sky News.

“We’ve got to protect children, we’ve got to protect them quickly and look at the regulatory models that have worked and be big enough to admit when we’ve got it wrong.”

More to come