Public health advocates are sounding the alarm over the federal government's sluggish progress in enacting promised laws to ban disposable vapes, labelling the delay a significant failure that endangers young Australians.
A Broken Promise on Public Health
In May, Health Minister Mark Butler announced a sweeping crackdown on the vaping industry, with legislation to ban the importation, manufacture, and supply of disposable single-use vapes slated to take effect from July 1, 2024. This move was a cornerstone of the government's strategy to curb the youth vaping epidemic.
However, with that deadline now long passed, the crucial legislation has yet to be introduced into Parliament. This legislative lag means the flood of illegal, brightly coloured vapes into the country continues virtually unabated, finding their way into the hands of children and teenagers.
Jessica Page, a leading public health expert, has issued a scathing critique of the situation. "There is no excuse for this delay," she states emphatically. The government had ample time to prepare the laws following their announcement, making the current hold-up unacceptable from a public health perspective.
The Consequences of Inaction
Every day without these new regulations is a day where the health of young people is compromised. Disposable vapes, often containing high levels of nicotine and harmful chemicals, remain easily accessible in convenience stores, tobacconists, and via illicit online sales.
Page argues that this delay undermines the government's entire anti-vaping strategy. The proposed model aimed to make vapes available only as a prescription-only smoking cessation tool through pharmacies, stripping them of their recreational appeal. The continued presence of disposable vapes in retail settings completely contradicts this goal and sends mixed messages to the public.
The financial cost is also staggering. Page points out that the illegal vape trade is siphoning an estimated $2 billion annually from the Australian economy, money that funds organised crime instead of contributing to public coffers or legitimate business.
An Urgent Call to Action
The path forward is clear, but it requires immediate political will. The government must urgently introduce and pass the legislation to enact the ban on disposable vapes. Furthermore, Page and other experts call for a substantial boost in funding for enforcement agencies like the Australian Border Force to stop illegal imports at the source.
Public education campaigns also need reinforcement to counter the pervasive marketing that targets youth. The community expects and deserves a cohesive, swift government response to a crisis that is addicting a new generation to nicotine.
"The government made a promise to protect our kids," Page concludes. "Every moment they delay in fulfilling that promise is a failure. The time for excuses is over; the time for action is now." The ball is firmly in Parliament's court to turn announced policy into enforceable law before more damage is done.
