"Lives Are At Stake Here" - Vaping Consumer
- Kim
- Jun 11
- 2 min read
As a vaper for several years (who was previously smoking for 15+!), I have always supported, hoped and waited for a sensible level of regulation on vaping. Regulation that would clarify vaping products as legal products, accessible by adults in highly regulated commercial settings similar to alcohol, tobacco and other products.
I firmly believe not since asbestos have we seen such a condemnation of the health of Australians as we have in the proposed prohibitions of reusable vaping hardware, the legitimate use of the personal importation scheme, and sales of vaping products to adults from responsible vaping stores (not to be confused with black market convenience stores and tobacconists).
From March (2024), everyday people like me trying to do the right thing via the personal importation scheme, plus good intentioned small retailers selling hardware, are unable to continue doing so and now face potential jail time and outrageous fines for trying to improve our health. Or we can return to cigarettes.
Users will be left with little convenient choice but to buy into the black market led by crooks who, given their current product is already imported and sold illegally, no doubt will not even blink at these new regulations. Indeed, the black market, free of all ethics or moral qualms, is likely the biggest supporter and beneficiary of this legislation.
Without sensibly regulated and accessible harm minimisation alternatives, vapers like me are now forced to make a choice - break the law for the good of our own health or return to the endless back and forth of quitting and resuming smoking. It is unfortunately now all too clear that the current government would prefer us back on the smokes.
Lives are at stake here.
Real people's lives - likely some of your friends and neighbours, even family.
Submission To Therapeutic Goods and Other Legislation Amendment (Vaping Reforms) Bill 2024 Inquiry
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