Australia takes consistent action against e-cigarettes. The country will now ban the import of vapes that are not intended for pharmacies. In addition, packaging and flavors that appeal particularly to young people will be banned.
Australia steps up fight against nicotine use. Health Minister Mark Butler announced that the country would in future ban the import of all vapes that are not intended for pharmacies. In addition, not only are disposable e-cigarettes banned from the shelves, but certain packaging and flavors are also banned.
The main purpose of the project is to protect young people. “No more bubblegum flavors, pink unicorns, or e-cigarettes disguised as highlighters for kids to hide in their pencil cases,” Butler said. “Instead, we’re going to have simple packaging, with simple flavors.”
In Australia, among other things, e-cigarettes with certain flavors are to be banned.
“Biggest loophole in Australian history”
Vaping has become “the biggest loophole in Australian history”. The country will not allow the progress made in reducing tobacco use to be undone by the “new threat” to public health. “Vaping has been sold to governments and communities around the world as a therapeutic product to help long-term smokers quit,” the minister said.
Instead, young people who vape were three times more likely to start smoking regular cigarettes as well. “This has to end. We will not stand by and watch vaping create another generation of nicotine addicts.”
In addition, the Australian government wants to increase the tax on tobacco by five percent annually from September for the next four years. In the entire four-year period, this is an increase in tax revenue of 3.3 billion Australian dollars (around two billion euros).
Also controversial in Germany
Disposable e-cigarettes are also controversial in Germany – mainly because of their poor environmental balance. In March, the Federal Council advocated a ban on single-use e-cigarettes at EU level.
On the website of the Federal Environment Ministry it says: “Neither the battery nor the liquid can be replaced. This makes disposable e-cigarettes a short-lived disposable product that, from an environmental point of view, is a waste of resources.”
In Germany and the EU, youth protection regulations for tobacco products also apply to e-cigarettes – both for products that contain nicotine and for nicotine-free products.