Discussion paper on e-cigarettes released

The Hodgman Liberal Government has released a discussion paper on the use of e-cigarettes to inform an evidence-based approach to the use of the devices.

The discussion paper, which was released today and is out for public discussion until July 24, examines options to address potential harms associated with the use of personal vaporisers, of which e-cigarettes are the most common type.

E-cigarettes containing nicotine are already illegal in Tasmania, and all states of Australia. In April this year I asked the Department of Health & Human Services to prepare a discussion paper on the use of other types of e-cigarettes.

The National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) has advised that there is currently insufficient evidence about the extent of the potential harms of nicotine free e-cigarettes.

Policy responses therefore need to remain adaptable to new scientific evidence, particularly if evidence is produced to support e-cigarettes working as an effective quitting aid.

States around Australia have taken varying approaches to e-cigarettes which do not contain nicotine. Apart from South Australia and Western Australia, these e-cigarettes can currently be purchased in all states or territories.

The discussion paper proposes a number of potential policy options, from increased public education, to part-regulation of e-cigarettes, to full regulation in the same way tobacco is regulated.

The Liberal Government’s commitment is to have a sensible community discussion on e-cigarettes and continue to closely monitor medical evidence as it becomes available. As with all public health issues, we do not want to jump to conclusions before the medical evidence comes in.

The discussion paper is available at www.dhhs.tas.gov.au.
Michael Ferguson, Minister for Health