Dr Nicole Lee - Curtin University
- Pippa Starr
- Mar 21, 2023
- 2 min read
Updated: Apr 21
Nicole Lee is Adjunct Professor at the National Drug Research Institute and Director at 360Edge, a consultancy specialising in the alcohol and other drug sector. Her main focus is research translation, and her interest is in alcohol and other drug responses, especially in relation to methamphetamine, cannabis and alcohol policy and practice, and in the treatment of co-occurring mental health problems. She has published widely on these topics.
Nicole has worked in the alcohol and other drug sector for 30 years, as clinician, academic, educator and service manager. She is a psychologist in private practice, a deputy editor with Drug and Alcohol Review, and a member of the board of Hello Sunday Morning. She was previously Head of Research at Turning Point Alcohol and Drug Centre and Past President of the Australian Association for Cognitive and Behaviour Therapy. More>>
2 November 2023 - Submission to the inquiry into e-cigarette regulation and compliance in New South Wales
March 21 2023 - The Conversation - How bad is vaping and should it be banned?
Vaping regularly makes headlines, with some campaigning to make e-cigarettes more available to help smokers quit, while others are keen to see vaping products banned, citing dangers, especially for teens.
So just how dangerous is it? We have undertaken an evidence check of vaping research. This included more than 100 sources on tobacco harm reduction, vaping prevalence and health effects, and what other countries are doing in response. Here’s what we found.
How does vaping compare to smoking?
Smoking is harmful. It’s the leading preventable cause of death in Australia. It causes 13% of all deaths, including from lung, mouth, throat and bladder cancer, emphysema, heart attack and stroke, to name just a few. People who smoke regularly and don’t quit lose about ten years of life compared with non-smokers.
Nicotine, a mild stimulant, is the active ingredient in both cigarettes and nicotine vaping products. It’s addictive but isn’t the cause of cancer or the other diseases related to smoking.
Ideally, people wouldn’t be addicted to nicotine, but having a safe supply without the deadly chemicals, for instance by using nicotine patches or gum, is safer than smoking. Making these other sources available is known as “harm reduction”.
Vaping is not risk-free, but several detailed reviews of the evidence plus a consensus of experts have all estimated it’s at least 95% safer to vape nicotine than to smoke tobacco. The risk of cancer from vaping, for example, has been estimated at less than 1%.
March 21 2023 - ABC Podcast - Nationals' proposal for vapes to be regulated like cigarettes divides health professionals
Dr Nicole Lee concedes opinions is split within the health community but says it’s time for a big shake-up around the rules of vaping as the current approach is not working. Guest/Audio: Dr Nicole Lee, Adjunct Professor at the National Drug Research Institute (NDRI) Curtin University
