Tom Smith calls for community voice on vaping, e-cigarettes

A Bundaberg MP has launched a community survey into how vapes are marketed, expressing fears the bright colours and sweet tastes are directly targeting kids and teenagers.

Bundaberg MP Tom Smith said he understood community concerns over how vapes were targeted towards young people with bright colours and sweet flavours. (Photo by Patrick T. FALLON / AFP)

Following the recent launch of a parliamentary inquiry into the truth behind e-cigarettes and vapes, Bundaberg MP Tom Smith has launched his own community survey.

The inquiry, which hopes to confirm the short and long term health risks of vapes and e-cigarettes, may be used to shaped future legislation over marketing and accessibility of the devices.

In response Mr Smith has called on members of the community to share their own experiences with the devices through the survey.

“I have talked to a lot of people who have gone from smoking cigarettes to vaping because they believe it is a healthier alternative,” Mr Smith said.

“I have also spoken to people who are changing from cigarettes to vaping because of the rising cost of living and they feel as though cigarettes are too pricey,” he said.

Mr Smith also shared community concerns over how vapes and e-cigarettes were marketed and said they were specially targeted to younger people.

“Overwhelmingly, there has been an element of concern for young people and children in schools,” he said.

“We know vaping is so much easier for kids to do in school because the recognisable smell isn’t there, it’s quick and I know stories of students even hiding the vape in their ties.”

The Labor MP said he would use the results of the survey to support the state government inquiry, and that he hoped the inquiry would lead to legislative changes around how e-cigarettes and vapes were marketed.

Bundaberg Labor MP Tom Smith said he had concerns about the way flavours were marketed towards young people with sweet and fruity flavours popular.

“We know that there are strict laws around advertising for cigarettes and smoking, meanwhile vapes are bright, eye-catching and some of the flavours are specifically targeted towards younger people,” he said.
Mr Smith said he had no intentions of banning the devices, and that people over the age of 18 should have the right to make the choice, as any adult did.

“However, for people under 18, if they’re being targeted as early vape users that’s really concerning for the community,” he said.

Originally published as Tom Smith calls for community voice on vaping, e-cigarettes