"I want them out of our schools, and part of that is getting them out of the corner stores that are across the road from the schools."
Timeline:
10 April 2024:
Community Noted on "X"
" Vaping is a menace in our schools and vape companies are targeting our kids."
(Vapes near schools rhetoric on television media)
Jason Clare Is Wrong, Here's Why:
The vape companies and stores that Jason Clare MP refers to are illegal black market operators that have been created by govt. restrictions and regulations on vaping. The Black Market doesn't follow the law which states vapes are illegal to sell to minors.
Media references:
27 March 2024:
" If you ask any parent of school-aged children—certainly children in high school and increasingly children in primary school—they'll tell you that they're worried about vaping. If you ask any principal or schoolteacher, they'll tell you the same. They'll tell you that it is fast becoming the biggest behavioural issue in their schools. This is what a New South Wales principal said last year:"
Jason Clare Is Wrong, Here's Why:
Jason Clare MP's speech on vaping regulation contains several misleading claims and exaggerations that do not align with current scientific evidence. Below are key points rebutting his arguments:
1. Youth Vaping vs. Smoking - The Reality
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Clare frames youth vaping as an escalating crisis, but evidence from Australia and internationally shows that most youth vaping is experimental and short-term. Regular vaping among never-smokers is rare.
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The primary concern should be youth smoking, which is far more dangerous. In many countries, including the UK, youth vaping has been associated with a continued decline in youth smoking rates.
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Fears of a "public health catastrophe" due to youth vaping are not supported by evidence.
2. The "Big Tobacco" Argument is Misleading
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Clare claims that "the same sorts of companies that were getting kids hooked on cigarettes are using the same old marketing playbook." This ignores that most vaping products are made by independent companies, not tobacco corporations.
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Tobacco companies did not invent vaping—it was developed by independent innovators as a harm reduction tool to help smokers quit.
3. Nicotine and Dependence – Mischaracterized
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Clare implies that vapes are creating a new generation hooked on nicotine, yet evidence shows that vaping is less addictive than smoking.
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Nicotine itself is not the primary cause of smoking-related harm—the real danger lies in the combustion of tobacco.
4. Flavors Do Not Prove "Targeting Kids"
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The claim that flavors like bubble gum and watermelon exist only to attract children is misleading.
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Adult smokers trying to quit overwhelmingly prefer non-tobacco flavors, as they help them dissociate from the taste of cigarettes.
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In the UK, where flavored vapes are available, vaping has been successfully used as a quitting tool, contributing to record-low smoking rates.
5. Vaping Regulations in Australia Have Failed
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Australia’s prescription-only model for vaping has led to a thriving black market controlled by criminal networks, where unregulated products are sold freely to youth.
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The proposed laws banning most vapes will likely increase illegal sales rather than stopping youth access.
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Other countries (UK, New Zealand, Canada) have regulated vapes as consumer products with strict age verification, keeping them out of kids’ hands while supporting adult smokers.
6. Vaping is a Public Health Opportunity, Not a Threat
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The UK’s National Health Service (NHS) & Cochrane endorses vaping as one of the most effective ways to quit smoking, with clear evidence showing it is far less harmful than smoking.
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The Royal College of Physicians has urged governments to promote vaping widely as a substitute for smoking.
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The Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP) recognizes vaping as a critical harm reduction tool, especially for people struggling with smoking addiction.
7. The Proposed Regulations Will Harm Public Health
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By limiting vapes to pharmacies, Clare’s proposal creates barriers for adult smokers who need vapes to quit.
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The black market will fill the gap, worsening the problem of unregulated sales to youth.
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A regulated consumer model—where legal vapes are sold in licensed stores with strict age verification—has proven successful in other countries.
Jason Clare’s arguments rely on fear-mongering rather than evidence-based policy. Instead of banning vapes, Australia should follow successful international models that regulate vaping sensibly—protecting youth while ensuring adults have access to safer alternatives to smoking.
13 February 2024:
"I'm also asked about disruption in our schools. There are lots of reasons for that, but one of them is vaping. This is what a principal said in the Australian on the weekend: They're— that is, students are— fixated on getting their next hit, are very disruptive and distracted from learning. We see the behavioural effects of withdrawal, as kids disappear from the classroom so they can get nicotine hits."
Jason Clare Is Wrong Again, Here's Why:
Jason Clare MP’s statements on vaping in schools are exaggerated, misleading, and fail to acknowledge the broader context of harm reduction. Below is a fact-based rebuttal addressing his key inaccuracies and misconceptions.
1. Youth Vaping Should Be Addressed with Regulation, Not Prohibition
Clare claims that one in six high school students are vaping, suggesting a youth vaping crisis that requires outright bans. However, the reality is:
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Most youth vaping is experimental, not regular. Data from the UK Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID) shows that regular vaping among non-smoking youth is rare.
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Youth smoking rates are at record lows. If vaping were a gateway to smoking, we would see youth smoking rates rise, but instead, they continue to decline in countries where vaping is accessible.
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Banning legal vapes will make youth access worse. Prohibition has already created a thriving black market, where minors can obtain unregulated, unsafe vapes without age verification.
Fact: The best approach is to regulate vaping products properly—banning legal alternatives will only drive youth toward more dangerous black-market products.
2. The “Nicotine Addiction Crisis” in Schools is Overstated
Clare claims that students are “fixated on getting their next hit”, implying widespread nicotine addiction in schools. However:
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The majority of youth who try vaping do not become addicted. Studies show that most young people who experiment with vaping do not use it regularly.
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Withdrawal symptoms from nicotine are mild compared to other substances. While nicotine is addictive, the physical dependence is far lower than that of cigarettes, alcohol, or other drugs.
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Vaping is replacing smoking among youth, not increasing nicotine addiction. Countries like New Zealand and the UK, where vaping is regulated, have seen record-low youth smoking rates.
Fact: While youth vaping should be addressed, the real focus should be on preventing cigarette use, which is far more harmful and deadly.
3. The Claim That “Nine Out of Ten Vape Stores Are Near Schools” is Misleading
Clare states that “nine out of ten vape stores are within walking distance of schools”, implying deliberate targeting of children. However:
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There is no publicly available data to support this claim. This statistic lacks transparency and is often repeated without proper verification.
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Retail zoning laws dictate where businesses can operate. Vape shops are typically located in commercial areas, just like convenience stores, pharmacies, and supermarkets.
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Regulated vape retailers enforce age restrictions. Countries with legal vaping markets (like the UK) have strict retail licensing and ID checks, preventing youth access.
Fact: There is no strong evidence that vape stores are deliberately setting up near schools. Proper regulation, not prohibition, is the key to preventing youth access.
4. Banning Vape Sales in Stores Will Fuel the Black Market
Clare praises legislation banning vape sales in stores, but this will make the problem worse:
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Australia’s prescription-only model has already created a booming black market. Instead of controlling vaping, banning retail sales has made illicit sales the dominant source of supply.
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Banning legal vapes will push more youth to black-market dealers. In countries where regulated vape sales exist, youth access to illicit products is lower because regulated retailers follow the law.
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Illegal vapes are unregulated and potentially more harmful. Many black-market vapes contain unknown substances or excessively high nicotine levels, increasing health risks.
Fact: Strict retail regulations, not outright bans, are the best way to control youth access and ensure product safety.
5. Australia is Falling Behind Other Countries with Smarter Vaping Policies
Clare presents Australia’s prohibitionist approach as a global model, but other countries have more effective, evidence-based policies:
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The UK, New Zealand, and Canada all support vaping as a harm reduction tool. These countries allow regulated adult sales while enforcing strict age verification and product standards.
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Public health experts criticize Australia’s extreme stance. Many leading researchers argue that Australia’s policy is driven by ideology, not science.
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Australia is out of step with international best practices. The World Health Organization (WHO) recognizes tobacco harm reduction as a legitimate strategy, yet Australia continues to push prohibition over regulation.
Fact: Countries with regulated vaping policies have seen greater declines in smoking rates and fewer black-market issues compared to Australia.
6. Nicotine Itself is Not the Primary Health Risk
Clare suggests that nicotine addiction is a major health crisis, ignoring key scientific findings:
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Nicotine is not responsible for smoking-related diseases. The main harm from smoking comes from tar, carbon monoxide, and other combustion byproducts, not nicotine.
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Nicotine has been used safely in medications for decades. Nicotine replacement therapies (NRTs), such as patches and gum, pose no significant health risks.
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Nicotine does not cause mental health problems. Some studies even suggest that nicotine may help improve cognitive function and mental health in certain cases.
Fact: The focus should be on eliminating combustible tobacco, not nicotine itself, which can be used safely in reduced-risk products like vapes.
Jason Clare MP’s speech on vaping is misleading, fear-based, and contradicts the best available evidence.
The reality is:
✅ Vaping is significantly less harmful than smoking and helps people quit.
✅ The "youth vaping epidemic" is exaggerated—most youth vapers were already smokers.
✅ There is no strong evidence that vaping causes young people to take up smoking.
✅ Banning legal vapes fuels the black market, making youth access worse.
✅ Nicotine itself is not the cause of smoking-related disease—combustion is.
✅ Australia’s prohibitionist approach has failed—countries with regulated models are more successful.
Policy Recommendation:
Instead of prohibition, Australia should adopt a regulated consumer model, similar to the UK and New Zealand, which includes:
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Licensed vape retailers with strict age verification.
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Strict safety and ingredient regulations for vaping products.
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Public education campaigns on the differences between smoking and vaping.
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A separate route for medical vapes for those who prefer a prescription model.
This balanced approach would help smokers quit, reduce smoking-related diseases, and protect public health. Prohibition has failed—Australia needs evidence-based regulation, not fear-mongering.