Pharmacy Daily | AMA calls out vaping

THE Australian Medical Association (AMA) has called for stronger, strictly enforced regulations on vaping, telling the federal government that Australia is at risk of losing the public health battle on vaping if strong action isn't taken.

AMA President Prof Stephen Robson explained Australia was a world-leader on tobacco and nicotine control for decades, but has dropped the ball with vaping.

"Vaping is not harmless, it is not safe, it is not part of tobacco control," Prof Robson said.

In its submission to the TGA consultation on potential reforms to the regulation of nicotine vaping products (NVPs), the AMA said it had repeatedly advocated for regulations to be changed to limit access to NVPs (which have a poor evidence base as a smoking cessation tool) by banning the personal importation of NVPs and reducing the allowed concentration of nicotine.

"The Personal Importation Scheme bypasses many of the product standards outlined in regulations, such as labelling, packaging, and record-keeping requirements and it's incredibly challenging to enforce," Prof Robson said.

While the TGA consultation focuses primarily on NVPs, the AMA supports introducing controls on the importation of all vaping products through customs.

"This would begin to address the public health challenge of tackling both non-nicotine vapes and nicotine products.

"Nicotine and non-nicotine vaping products are regulated differently which complicates and hinders progress on this issue," Prof Robson explained.

"Vaping products are a gateway to smoking for young people and there are significant risks from vaping that warrant much stronger regulation.

"We know many products marketed as not containing nicotine, actually contain nicotine, and products have also been found to contain prohibited chemicals that can cause serious harm, like vitamin E acetate and diacetyl, which can cause serious damage to the lungs," he concluded.

For more information on the TGA consulation CLICK HERE.