THE Australian Government has introduced to Parliament a "new generation of world-leading tobacco-control legislation".
If passed, the legislation includes sweeping tobacco and vape controls.
Proposed changes include updating and improving graphic warnings on packaging; extending warnings to individual cigarettes; standardising the size of tobacco packets and products; preventing the use of specified additives in tobacco products like menthols; and standardising the design and look of filters.
In addition, the legislation states it would limit the use of appealing names that imply reduced harm; and require health promotion inserts in packs and pouches.
Plus, the legislation looks to improve transparency of tobacco sales volumes, product contents, and advertising and promotional activities, as well as capturing vapes in advertising restrictions.
The Dept of Health stated the new law will take effect from 01 Apr 2024, giving the industry a year to comply with requirements, and retailers given a further three months.
These reforms complement the Government's commitment to stamp out vaping, it stated.
Commenting on a TGA consulation paper put out to the industry this week, therapeutic vaping products manufacturer From the Fields Pharmaceutical CEO Wilhelm David said, "the Gov't's intention around the future role of therapeutic vaping is affirmed and clear".
"Therapeutic-approved vaping products can only be doctor-prescribed and distributed by pharmacies in Australia.
"We welcome the direction, and support our national public health policy, where therapeutic vaping has a genuine and growing role to play in driving adult smoking rates down to 5% by 2030," David said.
"But these measures must be complemented by ongoing action and commitment, to dramatically boost numbers of GPs to prescribe therapeutic vapes, if the black market is to be broken up."
With the paper setting out that single-use vapes would be banned, with minimal flavours available, David commented, "stopping doctors prescribing disposable vapes to our elderly or restricting access to appropriate disposable vape products seems counterproductive to achieving the Federal Government's goals".
"There should also be a wider selection of simple flavours." JG
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