"Single-use vapes have been described as a strong contender for being the most environmentally wasteful, damaging and dangerous consumer product ever made."
Timeline:
27 March 2024:
"Australians deserve better. To be effective these laws are going to have to be enforced. For that we will need appropriate manpower and support at a state and federal level. The federal government tells us that it will work hard in tandem with the state governments, the TGA and Border Force to enforce these laws. If they don't, this legislation will not work."
Monique Ryan Is Wrong, Here's Why:
Monique Ryan’s speech contains multiple misleading claims and inaccuracies regarding vaping, youth use, and its regulation. Below is a rebuttal of her main arguments, backed by scientific evidence and public health research.
1. Vaping Is Not a Public Health Emergency
Dr. Ryan claims, “Vaping is a public health emergency.”
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Fact: Smoking is the real public health emergency, not vaping. Smoking kills over 20,000 Australians every year, while vaping has not been linked to a single death in Australia.
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The UK’s Royal College of Physicians has concluded that vaping is at least 95% less harmful than smoking and should be widely promoted as a smoking alternative.
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EVALI (the lung injury crisis in the US) was caused by illicit THC products, not regulated nicotine vapes.
2. Vaping Does Not Lead to Smoking – It’s the Opposite
Dr. Ryan claims, “Young people who vape are three times more likely to take up smoking than others.”
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Fact: This is a classic correlation, not causation argument.
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Studies show that youths who try vaping are usually those already predisposed to risky behaviors—including smoking.
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In the UK and New Zealand, youth vaping has increased while youth smoking rates have hit record lows, showing that vaping is displacing smoking.
3. Vapes Are Not Stronger Than Cigarettes
Dr. Ryan claims, “Many vapes contain the equivalent of three or four packets of cigarettes.”
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Fact: This is a misrepresentation of nicotine strength.
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Most legal nicotine vapes contain much less nicotine than cigarettes. Many ex-smokers use higher nicotine strengths initially, but gradually reduce their intake over time.
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Nicotine absorption from vapes is slower and lower than from cigarettes, making the addiction potential significantly less.
4. Nicotine Is Not the Primary Health Risk
Dr. Ryan claims, “Nicotine addiction causes cardiac and vascular disease.”
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Fact: Nicotine itself is not responsible for smoking-related diseases—it's the thousands of toxic chemicals in cigarette smoke that cause cancer, heart disease, and lung disease.
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Nicotine has been used safely in patches, gums, and inhalers for decades without these health risks.
5. The Claim That Vapes Contain Dangerous Chemicals Is Misleading
Dr. Ryan claims, “Young people inhale toxic chemicals like diacetyl, formaldehyde, and heavy metals.”
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Fact: Diacetyl has been banned in regulated e-liquids for years in the UK and other countries.
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The amounts of formaldehyde and heavy metals in vapes are far lower than in cigarette smoke, and at levels well below LD50 or at levels that are proven without doubt to cause human harm.
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Cancer Research UK confirms that vaping is significantly safer than smoking and does not cause popcorn lung.
6. The “Nine Out of Ten Vape Stores Are Near Schools” Argument Is Flawed
Dr. Ryan claims, “Nine out of ten vape stores are within walking distance of schools.”
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Fact: This statistic is misleading because most convenience stores and retail shops selling legal products are near schools—this applies to bakeries, supermarkets, and even pharmacies.
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The real issue is illegal black-market sales, which the current prescription model has fueled by restricting legal access for adults.
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In contrast, the UK and New Zealand have a regulated retail model with strict ID checks and penalties for underage sales.
7. The Claim That Vaping Is an Environmental Disaster Ignores the Harm of Cigarettes
Dr. Ryan claims, “Vape devices are the most environmentally wasteful and dangerous consumer product ever made.”
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Fact: Cigarettes are far worse for the environment.
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4.5 trillion cigarette butts are littered worldwide annually, releasing toxic chemicals into the soil and water.
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Vapes can be recycled, while cigarette filters contain plastic that takes decades to break down.
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The issue is disposable vapes, which could be addressed with proper recycling programs rather than outright bans.
8. Australia’s Prescription-Only Model Has Failed Miserably
Dr. Ryan claims, “The only vapes available should be those prescribed by doctors and dispensed by pharmacies.”
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Fact: Australia is the only Western country with this failed prescription model, leading to:
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A booming black market controlled by criminal networks.
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Unregulated products being freely available to youth, with no quality control.
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A massive decline in adult smokers accessing a harm-reduction tool.
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In contrast, the UK, Canada, and New Zealand allow regulated retail sales, which keep vapes out of kids' hands while ensuring access for adult smokers.
9. The Conspiracy Theory About “Big Tobacco” Ignores the Reality
Dr. Ryan claims, “The vaping industry is the tobacco industry.”
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Fact: The majority of vaping products are made by independent companies, not Big Tobacco.
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Big Tobacco was forced into the vaping market because millions of smokers switched to vaping, causing a decline in cigarette sales.
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If Dr. Ryan were truly concerned about the influence of Big Tobacco, she should support a well-regulated consumer market that prioritizes independent vape businesses over tobacco industry products.
10. The UK and New Zealand Have NOT “Backtracked” on Vaping
Dr. Ryan claims, “The UK and New Zealand have backtracked on their earlier permissive approaches.”
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Fact: This is misleading.
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The UK and New Zealand still promote vaping as a safer alternative to smoking.
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Both countries introduced restrictions on youth access and banned disposables while keeping regulated nicotine vapes available to adult smokers.
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Neither country has adopted a prescription model—they have adjusted regulations while maintaining access for adult smokers.
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Dr. Monique Ryan’s arguments are based on misinformation, fear-mongering, and a fundamental misunderstanding of harm reduction.
Her approach would:
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Fuel the black market, making youth access even easier.
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Deny adult smokers access to a proven harm-reduction tool.
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Ignore the global success of well-regulated consumer markets.
The real solution is a properly regulated retail model with strict age restrictions, as seen in the UK and New Zealand. Australia should follow evidence-based public health policy—not ideological prohibitionist rhetoric.