The National Asthma Council Australia today welcomed the federal government's regulatory changes aimed at stopping the importation of non-prescription vapes and banning single use disposable vaping devices.
Professor Nick Zwar, Chair of the National Asthma Council Australia Guidelines Committee, said there has been a clear need to address this rapidly emerging public health threat.
“The uptake of vaping in younger people, many of whom are non-smokers, has been alarming.
“The proposed requirement of pharmaceutical-like packaging is also welcome as this may contribute to making vaping products less appealing to young people and is consistent with access only via prescription,” he said.
Professor Zwar said that nicotine e-cigarettes have a role in supporting smoking cessation for people who have not been successful in quitting using other TGA approved forms of pharmacotherapy.
“While an ARTG listed nicotine vaping product would be ideal, increasing the minimum standards for nicotine vaping products will provide some further assurance to prescribers about quality and safety when using these products to assist smokers to quit,” he said.
The National Asthma Council Australia is committed to providing practical advice for primary health care practitioners to support them in providing the best possible care for people with asthma.
The most recent update to the Australian Asthma Handbook provided updated clinical guidance on the use of electronic cigarettes for smoking cessation.
“We congratulate the Health Minister Mark Butler and the federal government on making this decision and welcome the announcement of a $234 million boost in this month’s budget for the biggest smoking reforms in a decade,” said Professor Zwar.
For further information or an interview with a National Asthma Council Australia spokesperson, please contact:
Donna Le Page, Le Page PR
Mobile: 0429 825 703 Email: donna@lepage-pr.com.au
