With the new law, the government wants to combat the increasing use of vapes by young people.
They are brightly colored, look a bit like toys and smell like peaches or watermelon: Vapes are trendy among young people – worldwide. Australia has now declared war on these e-cigarettes. Since July 1, vapes have only been available in pharmacies.
E-cigarettes may only be sold in neutral packaging and without flavorings. Three less spectacular flavors remain permitted: menthol, peppermint and tobacco. Pharmacists must also inform customers about health risks before selling vapes.
E-cigarettes are a tool of the tobacco industry that is specifically designed to attract a new generation to nicotine addiction.
“We are deadly serious about these reforms because they are vital to the health of young Australians,” said Health Minister Mark Butler. Electronic cigarettes are a serious threat to public health. “They are a tool of the tobacco industry, specifically designed to attract a new generation to nicotine addiction.”
Advertising is aimed specifically at young people
At the same time, the social democratic Labor government appointed its own commissioner to step up the fight against e-cigarettes and tobacco products being illegally imported into Australia.
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Last year, Butler announced: “No more chewing gum flavors, no more pink unicorns or e-cigarettes disguised as highlighters so kids can hide them in their pencil cases.”
Keystone/AAPIMAGE/LUKAS COCH
“The conservative opposition parties were against the law or undecided for various reasons,” reports Urs Wälterlin, SRF employee in Australia. With the support of the Greens, the bill was finally passed, albeit slightly modified: instead of only being sold by doctors, vapes will at least be allowed to be sold in pharmacies. Young people under the age of 18 need a doctor’s prescription.
The driver of the measures is clearly the protection of health, especially among young people, concludes Wälterlin: “They have clearly been the target of advertising for vapes in recent years.” Ultimately, however, political opportunism also plays a role: This is because the issue makes it relatively easy to gather votes.
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Getty Images/Irina K.
In Switzerland, the National Council wants to ban disposable electronic cigarettes. In the summer session, the upper house adopted a corresponding motion by the Vaud Green National Councilor Christophe Clivaz. The Federal Council should amend the federal law on tobacco products and electronic cigarettes so that the so-called “puff bars” can no longer be offered for sale in Switzerland.
These are attractive to young people due to their many flavors and beautiful coloring and are therefore becoming increasingly popular, Clivaz told the council. Ten million pieces had already been imported in 2022.
After use, the “puff bars” sometimes end up in lakes, on meadows or in the garbage, thus polluting the environment. This costs millions. There is also the health aspect: experts in prevention are alarmed because the “puffs” quickly become addictive. In addition, the health effects of disposable cigarettes have not been sufficiently researched.
Federal Councillor Elisabeth Baume-Schneider voted in vain against what the Federal Council considered to be a premature ban. The Council of States must now decide on a ban on the popular “brothel bars”.