55yr old Woman Penalised for Quitting Smokes & Improving Health - Vaping Consumer
- Kim
- Jun 6
- 2 min read
I have not smoked any tobacco products, cigarettes or roll your own, for 4 years & 4 months. Not even once. I no longer gasp for breath, I no longer have gurgling in my lungs, I no longer
cough up black mucus. Why? Because I SWITCHED TO VAPING.
My health has improved and there is no comparison between what smoking did to my body compared to vaping. This is the longest period of time I have gone without smoking BUT NOW these new laws will make it harder for me to stay stopped and easier to go back to smoking. I AM BEING PENALISED FOR CARING ABOUT MY HEALTH. People who live with mental health issues are more likely to smoke. I am one of those people. As such I have no doubt that if I am unable to vape I will inevitably fall back to smoking.
The complex requirements for buying them have created a black market where products are unregulated and easily available to minors. I DON'T WANT TO RELY ON THE BLACK MARKET. We should change this by allowing adults to purchase regulated nicotine vaping products in retail settings.
Research shows vaping is a much safer alternative to smoking tobacco. I AM PROOF OF THIS. The introduction of regulated retail sales of nicotine vaping products would provide a safer option for smokers, which could lead to a decrease in smoking-related illnesses and ultimately lower healthcare costs.
The illegal sale of nicotine vaping products is currently a significant problem in Australia. The introduction of regulated retail sales would reduce the demand for illegal products, which would help to reduce crime rates and increase public safety.
In summary, we need a system that makes it easy for smokers to switch to vaping without having to jump through all the hoops of the current prescription model. The only way we can do this is by empowering responsible retailers to sell regulated vaping products. Any other policy will be more of the same and the current problems of tax avoidance, access for minors, and demand for criminal supply will not be addressed.
WHY IS AUSTRALIA BEING SO BACKWARD?
Submission To Therapeutic Goods and Other Legislation Amendment (Vaping Reforms) Bill 2024 Inquiry
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