Littleproud leads Nationals charge against black market e-cigarettes

Nationals leader David Littleproud will push his partyroom to embrace a regulatory model for e-cigarettes in a bid to crack down on a thriving black market.

Nationals leader David Littleproud is set to canvas a proposal to legalise vaping products in a bid to crack down on a thriving black maket. Picture: iStock

Nationals leader David Littleproud will push his partyroom to embrace a regulatory model for e-cigarettes in a bid to crack down on a thriving black market, with the junior Coalition partner likely to adopt a formal position on vaping next week.

Mr Littleproud and NSW MP Pat Conaghan are set to canvas a proposal to legalise vaping products with colleagues before a formal proposal to the partyroom when parliament resumes next Monday.

Mr Littleproud said the former Coalition government’s push to curb vaping through a prescription-only model had failed, and that stronger regulation was needed to protect children.

“We need to regulate further,” Mr Littleproud said. “The regulations put in under Greg Hunt haven’t worked.

“The market has moved so far now that children have become exposed and the government needs to regulate urgently, particularly about the flavours and types of vapes that are sold, and where they’re sold.”

Nationals leader David Littleproud. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Gary Ramage

Mr Conaghan is preparing a tobacco-style regulatory model that could include strict age ­restrictions, plain packaging and rules for ingredients.

He said the former Coalition government’s attempt to curb usage through a prescription framework “just hadn’t solved the problem at all” and warned children and teenagers were at risk of severe health problems.

“The ease at which (teenagers) are able to get their hands on this is just astounding,” Mr Conaghan.

“We have to treat it the same as cigarettes, it needs to be regulated and we can take the excise from it, which is a tick for government, but we also need to treat it as a health issue.”

The Morrison government’s failure to establish effective regulations for nicotine vaping, including e-cigarettes, nicotine pods and liquid nicotine, has seen an explosion in the number of vaping products bought online and at corner stores.

Under current rules, which are being ignored by users including high school students, individuals can import vaping products following consultation with a GP but the take-up of prescriptions has been low.

Health Minister Mark Butler has left the door open to implementing a licensing scheme for vaping products and the introduction of a tobacco-style excise, as the government considers ways to reduce the appeal of vaping and smoking to young people.

Mr Butler said Labor was ­“determined to see Australia reclaim its position as a world leader on tobacco control”.

“The former government was asleep at the wheel as vaping rates skyrocketed,” he said. “We need to understand where the current regulatory framework falls short, and what action governments can take to move the dial.

“All health ministers have agreed that this is a priority area for us to take strong action.”

Federal, state and territory health ministers last month agreed to establish a national e-cigarette working group to address the rising availability, appeal and usage of vaping products.

The Therapeutic Goods Administration is reviewing almost 4000 submissions made to a consultation paper into proposed amendments to vape and e-cigarette regulations.

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk on Sunday announced a parliamentary inquiry into vaping that could shape ­ reforms in the state.

A cost-benefit analysis undertaken by London economic firm Llewellyn Consulting on legalising vaping products in Australia last year found that licensing vaping retail products would generate more than $800m over four years through GST alone, and an even bigger budget windfall if new regulations were imposed.