Vaping bill will mark a pivotal moment in our state’s public health history

The Tasmanian government’s Public Health Amendment (Vaping) Bill 2024, tabled in September, is a nation-leading initiative that marks a pivotal moment in our state’s public health history.

The legislation, designed to curb the rising tide of youth vaping, is not only a testament to the government’s commitment to safeguarding the health of future generations, it also represents a proactive step towards a more preventative health system.

The draft bill, set to be debated later this year, proposes to ban the sale of vape products for people under 18 years, as well as ensuring vapes can only be supplied by pharmacies to people 18 years or over with a prescription.

The immeasurable health benefits to our children, coupled with significant long-term cost savings in the healthcare system, underscores the far-reaching impact of these regulations.

The damaging medley of harmful effects vaping products are having on our kids has been well documented in recent times.

This includes their impact on brain development and mental health, causing increased rates of depression and anxiety, as well as preying on young people who are more susceptible to developing addictive behaviours.

This is a blatant and shameless exploitation of some of our most vulnerable young people by big tobacco.

We know from recent studies, for example, that teenagers experiencing low mental wellbeing are 100 per cent more likely to vape, and those with high stress are nearly 74 per cent more likely.[1]

Once hooked, we also know that young people who vape are five times more likely to take up smoking, and the younger a person is when they start vaping, the higher their risk of smoking becomes.[2]

By limiting access to these harmful products, especially to young people, Tasmania is setting a powerful precedent for other states to follow, ensuring the wellbeing of our community remains a top priority.

And we’re already seeing other states now following suit, with the WA government announcing it will bypass federal laws in order to stamp out vaping without a script.

Of course, we understand through our engagement with the community, and health and community sector leaders across the state, that any measures to protect our kids must incorporate adequate support to those who are already addicted to vapes.

Having recently attended an industry roundtable on the draft bill, St Lukes knows there will be a range of support mechanisms in place, in addition to existing services, to help young Tasmanians through the transition.

These are critical issues that will need to be explored as the legislation is debated, but let’s not lose sight of the end game, which is ultimately to prevent future generations from accessing vapes in the first place.

This is a visionary first step towards creating a proactive preventative health system.

St Lukes is actively engaging with Tasmanian members of Parliament to ensure they keep politics out of health and support this critical legislation, putting our children’s futures ahead of the interests of big tobacco companies.

Paul Lupo is the CEO of Tasmanian not-for-profit health insurer St Lukes.