While proponents of vaping cite high-profile studies by Cancer Research UK and Public Health England , opponents remain focused on the findings of internal health bodies like the Public Health Association and the Lung Foundation . In the view of Maurice Swanson , tobacco control spokesperson for the National Heart Foundation , it would be unwise to “ be swayed by international lobbying from countries with an inferior record in public health to Australia ’ s .” While it ’ s true that Australia has historically been seen a world-leader in tobacco control , there is ongoing debate about the effectiveness of some of the country ’ s policies .
Australia introduced plain packaging on all tobacco products in 2012 . The UK ’ s decision to adopt the policy was a controversial one . Rather than wait for supporting evidence to emerge from Australia as Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt had promised , the government went ahead and pushed the policy through in 2017 . A year on , research conducted by Japan Tobacco International ( JTI ) and independent polling company Kantar TNS found that two-thirds of the population were critical of the effectiveness of the policy in reducing smoking rates and believed that it was “ a poor use of government resources .”
JTI ’ s research contrasts with an Action for Smoking and Health ( ASH ) study published earlier this year which found that 58 percent of the public supported plain packaging and only 11 percent opposed it . The author noted that standardised packaging was known to have the greatest impact in deterring young people from taking up smoking in the first place , rather than convincing addicted adults to attempt to quit .
In an article published in Medical Journal of Australia ( MJA ) newsletter on May 21 , MJA InSight , renowned Tobacco Treatment Specialist and vaping advocate Dr Colin Mendelsohn called for Australia to adopt a new approach to tobacco control . The focus , he said , should be helping smokers quit rather than penalising them with tax hikes that disproportionately affect disadvantaged groups , such as indigenous people and those in lower socio-economic groups .
Dr Mendelsohn noted that harm reduction , demand reduction and supply reduction are the ‘ three pillars ’ of Australia ’ s National Drug Strategy , yet Australians wanting to quit smoking are discouraged from using e-cigarettes . Meanwhile , in New Zealand , Associate Health Minister Nicky Wagner has announced that e-cigarettes are to be formally legalised on the basis that the devices could help smokers quit and contribute towards achieving a smoke-free New Zealand by 2025 .
Ms Wagner said ,
" This is an opportunity to see if restricted access to e-cigarettes and e-liquid can help lower our smoking rates , reduce harm and save lives .” Australia continues to be a frustrating battleground for pro-vaping advocates like Dr Mendelsohn . But with their closest neighbours now following the US and Europe ’ s lead and more people importing vaping products from abroad , the tide of public opinion may soon compel politicians to finally regulate the black market industry .
Dr Mendelsohn said ,
“ Despite the highest cigarette prices in the world , plain packaging and comprehensive tobacco control policies , Australian smoking rates have stalled for the first time in decades , while declines accelerated in some other countries such as the US .”
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