Many people are frustrated by the slow progress of the cause to legalise vaping and help smokers reduce harm in Australia. Whilst there is still a way to go, we have made a significant step forward.
The WA Liberal party recently passed at its state conference, a motion calling for the legalisation of vaping. This is the first time that either of the major political parties has adopted such a policy in any state. Whilst not binding on the parliamentary party, it certainly gives it direction.
This comes two weeks after W.A. Liberal Democrat MLC Aaron Stonehouse launched a petition to legalise vaping which is aiming for 50,000 signatures. Polling in the by-elections in the seats of Perth and Fremantle federally showed 70% support for legalising vaping with majority support across the political divide.
Australian Tobacco Harm Reduction Association (ATHRA), which only came into existence in late 2017 has been able to get a public debate going. Twelve months ago, there was no mention in the media and most people did not know about vaping. Today many media outlets have published pieces on why vaping should be legal in Australia. Many commentators are now onside with the push to help smokers reduce harm.
If one strips away ideology the case is closed. Vaping has been consistently shown to be at least 95% less harmful than smoking. Where legal, smoking rates are falling faster than where it is not. Youth smoking rates are also declining where vaping is legal.
We also know that despite the highest cigarette prices in the world and plain packaging that smoking rates in Australia have not fallen between 2013 and 2016. In addition, the rates of smoking in indigenous populations, prison and homeless populations and those with mental health problems far exceeds the rates in latte strip suburbs inhabited by many in public health.
Nicotine is what keeps people smoking but it is not a carcinogen. It is already available in patch and chewing gum form. Yet many are unable to quit. Many who have switched to vaping report it changed their lives.
Nothing on earth is harm free but vaping at 95% less harmful and has to be better than smoking. Even at only 50% less harmful it would be worthwhile. Claims that it is a big tobacco conspiracy make no sense when you look at the negligible market share that “big tobacco” has in vaping in Australia. Anyone switching to vaping is diverting money away from the tobacco industry. Those opposing vaping are in fact keeping money flowing to it.
When one objectively looks at the science and the real world data, the only conclusion that can be drawn is that it should be no harder for people to legally obtain a less harmful option. If you can legally smoke then you need to be able to legally vape.
In contrast to the, at times, vitriolic opposition to vaping in Australia, the UK is increasingly supportive. The Science and Technology Committee of the UK Parliament has published a review calling on more to be done to encourage smokers to switch to vaping.
You can read a summary here but a key recommendation was this one “ The prohibition on making claims for the relative health benefits of stopping smoking and using e-cigarettes instead has prevented manufacturers informing smokers of the potential benefits and should be reviewed…”.
The WA Liberal Party is to be congratulated on taking a leading stance and listening to science and data rather than ideology. Let us continue to push all sides of politics to do likewise. Legalising vaping is, in reality, a no-brainer.
Medical Doctor, author, speaker, media presenter and health industry consultant, Dr Joe Kosterich wants you to be healthy and get the most out of life.
Joe writes for numerous medical and mainstream publications, is clinical editor at Medical Forum Magazine, and is also a regular on radio and television.
Joe is Medical Advisor to Medicinal Cannabis Company Little Green Pharma, Chairman of Australian Tobacco Harm Reduction Association and sits on the board of Arthritis and Osteoporosis WA. He is often called to give opinions in medico legal cases.
He has self-published two books: Dr Joe’s DIY Health and 60 Minutes To Better Health.
In 2024 due to public demand he commenced a podcast, Dr Joe Unplugged, which can be accessed via Spotify, Apple or YouTube.
Through all this he continues to see patients as a GP each week.
