Greens Propose Plan to Regulate Vaping to Reduce Harms

2023-02-27

Cate Faehrmann, Greens MP and health spokesperson, announced the Greens plan to regulate nicotine vaping on Monday evening at the Public Health Association of Australia’s health debate. The plan will seek to end the nicotine vape black market and reduce the harms associated with vaping.

The Greens plan to regulate vaping in NSW will:

  • Regulate vaping and legalise nicotine vapes to reduce harms and provide a pathway to quitting smoking.

  • Place limits on nicotine levels and prohibit the use of harmful chemicals.

  • Require health warnings on all vaping products.

  • Regulate vaping products so that nicotine vapes are only available to over 18s.

  • Fund education programs targeted at teenagers to warn them of the dangers of vaping.

  • Reduce the waste caused by vaping by placing requirements on producers to minimise waste and recycle used nicotine vapourisers.

“Prohibition has failed once again. Banning nicotine vapes has only created a thriving black market that gives children easy access to nicotine products,” said Cate Faehrmann.

“Our plan would regulate nicotine vapes like any other tobacco product, with strict restrictions on advertising and nicotine content. This will end the black market and get vapes out of the hands of children."

“Nicotine vaping is legal and widely available in the UK, US, Canada, New Zealand and the European Union, where it has resulted in the reduction of adults smoking tobacco. Australia is the only country in the world that requires a prescription to access nicotine vapes."

“Illegal nicotine vapes are contributing massively to the waste crisis. As part of regulating nicotine vapes we will make producers responsible for the end-of-life of these products and require retailers to operate ‘vape-waste’ disposal bins."

“The cat is out of the bag, people are going to access nicotine vapes regardless of the law. By regulating nicotine vaping we can ensure that people know what they’re vaping and aren’t exposed to dangerous chemicals or extremely high levels of nicotine,” said Cate Faehrmann.