Canavan and Christensen break ranks with Morrison government over vaping

Queensland Senator Matt Canavan is calling for Australia to legalise e-cigarettes after the Morrison government banned the importation of the devices unless prescribed by a doctor.

Matt Canavan is calling for Australia to legalise e-cigarettes after the government implemented a 12-month ban. Picture: AAP

Senator Matt Canavan is calling for Australia to legalise e-cigarettes after the Morrison government moved to ban the importation of vapes and nicotine refills unless prescribed by a doctor.

The Nationals senator from Queensland has broken ranks with the government, starting a petition with colleague George Christensen for the 12-month vaping ban to be reversed.

From July 1 Australians who illegally import nicotine refills face fines of up to $220,000.

“Fines of up to $220k for importing what is in most countries a legal product is overkill,” Senator Canavan tweeted on Wednesday. “We should regulate it so it’s sold safely.”

He said Australia was one of only two developed countries that had not legalised e-cigarettes.

Senator Canavan’s petition, which is calling for 15,000 signatures, had already passed 20,000 by Wednesday afternoon.

“We are deeply concerned that the proposed heavy-handed enforcement of import bans on vaping liquids will lead to perverse health outcomes,” the Queensland politicians wrote.

“From July 1, the Australian Border Force and Department of Health will begin enforcing fines of up to $220,000 over the importation of vaping liquids, used by many as a substitute for cigarettes.

“By denying people access to a product that is commonly used, Australians will be forced to use more dangerous legal alternatives, such as cigarettes.”

They warned others may resort to black market options with the potential for even more harmful outcomes.

Australia is 1 of only 2 developed countries that hasn’t legalised e-cigs. Fines of up to $220k for importing what is in most countries a legal product is overkill. We should regulate it so it’s sold safely. Sign our petition at https://t.co/QhSnRAptAk

— Matthew Canavan (@mattjcan) June 24, 2020

Former Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce told The Australian:

“Leave vapes alone.”

“No one’s arguing that nicotine is good for you, but I believe cigarettes are worse than vaping,” he said. “More importantly than that I don’t like the idea of the government yet again coming in and saying ‘this is what you can and can’t do’.

Health Minister Greg Hunt said the measure further strengthened Australia‘s precautionary approach to e-cigarettes.

The ban will remain in place for 12 months to allow for public consultation on the regulation of nicotine products by the Therapeutic Goods Administration.

The move was welcomed last week by the Australian Medical Association.

“Nicotine is a highly addictive substance and there is no level of tobacco use which is safe,” AMA vice-president Dr Chris Zappala said.

He cautioned e-cigarettes and vaping were not a healthy alternative to smoking.