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“The government is yet again interfering in the freewill & autonomy of Australian adults.” - Vaping Consumer

  • Writer: Kim
    Kim
  • Jun 24
  • 2 min read

I smoked heavily for over 15 years which was starting to take a toll on my physical health and well-being. Like many I tried multiple times using various methods to quit, and failed each time. Vaping was the only effective solution.

Several years ago I discovered several of my friends had successfully quit smoking using vaping. Back then vaping products and nicotine liquid were easy to access, affordable, had a very large selection of products and didn’t require a prescription from a GP. This ease of access greatly facilitated my decision to make a change to better my health in a way that

seemed attainable to me (as opposed to quitting nicotine completely). I sought

recommendations, ordered a vape device and nicotine liquid and bought my last pack of

cigarettes.

I am now happily tobacco free for over 3 years and am feeling the best I have in years.

Exchanging cigarettes for a vape has positively impacted my relationships, finances, and best of all, my health. I no longer have a persistent cough and have much better stamina. I believe that without easy access to vape and nicotine products (without a GP’s involvement), I would not have succeeded in quitting smoking. Going to a GP to get a prescription is enough of a barrier to discourage many people from trying alternatives which may improve their health or life span.


Recent changes in legislation has already made it difficult to get the products I require to stay

tobacco free. I can no longer purchase the coils I need nor the only flavour I enjoy. I fear that the proposed changes will prevent me from living a healthy life free from toxic cigarettes,

may make me a criminal, and I may be at risk of going back to smoking out of convenience or desperation.

The logic that I can purchase cigarettes without a prescription, yet I need one for a vape, is absurd. Creating a barrier to obtaining the healthier alternative of vaping, but not to cigarettes, will encourage more cigarette smoking. That is not good for the health of the adult population, nor will it protect the youth from vaping. I feel that a different approach needs to be considered (as per New Zealand) that can support adult smokers trying to quit, remove the attraction for a black market and promote personal choices and well-being for adults.

I find it frustrating that the government is yet again interfering in the free will and autonomy of Australian adults in what they put into and do with their body under the guise of ‘Public Safety’.

Submission To Therapeutic Goods and Other Legislation Amendment (Vaping Reforms) Bill 2024 Inquiry

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