Read articles from Australia

April 22, 2024 by colinmendelsohn.com.au

The UK's proposed generational smoking ban aims to raise the legal age for purchasing cigarettes, though concerns exist about effectiveness and potential fueling of black market sales. Australia must address the stagnant smoking rates among adults while considering innovative solutions like vaping as a safer alternative. Focus should shift towards helping older smokers quit, where vaping has shown promise, rather than solely targeting youth uptake. Prioritizing solutions for stubbornly addicted adult smokers is crucial for public health efforts. Enabling access to safer alternatives could lead to longer and healthier lives, outweighing the emphasis on generational smoking bans.

April 22, 2024 by theconversation.com

There are no quick fixes in addressing public health issues like smoking. Measures like increasing tobacco prices and implementing strict regulations have been effective in reducing smoking rates. Recent legislation in the UK aims to phase out the legal sale of tobacco products and prevent future generations from becoming addicted. Australia has also introduced new tobacco control reforms, with a goal of reducing smoking prevalence. The debate on further restrictions on vaping products is ongoing. These efforts highlight the importance of continued vigilance against the tobacco industry's influence to create a smoke-free future for upcoming generations.

April 18, 2024 by medicalxpress.com

The Australian government is considering new regulations on vaping, addressing illegal sales and access issues. Research supports vaping as a smoking cessation tool, but obtaining nicotine vapes legally can be challenging due to prescription requirements. Options to improve access include allowing pharmacists to dispense nicotine vapes without a prescription. Some advocate for regulating vapes like tobacco, but health organizations have concerns. Pharmacists are capable of managing nicotine vape distribution responsibly, with potential benefits for access and cost.

April 16, 2024 by theconversation.com

The Australian government is considering vaping regulations to address illegal sales of nicotine-containing products to minors. The proposed bill aims to restrict nicotine vapes to pharmacies, requiring prescriptions. Some advocate for pharmacist-only sales to facilitate smoking cessation. Online prescribing services are emerging, as some doctors eschew prescribing vaping products. There are concerns about criminalizing unpermitted vaping. Law alterations may remove penalties for possession without a prescription. Discussions also include regulating vapes like tobacco for adult sale and health practitioner oversight.

April 16, 2024 by colinmendelsohn.com.au

Nicotine pouches are gaining popularity as a safer alternative to smoking. In Australia, they are prescription-only medicines, available through pharmacies or importation with a prescription. Concerns about illegal sales and youth uptake exist, but there is no evidence of significant youth usage. Pouches are tobacco-free and considered low-risk, with experts ranking them safer than smoking and vaping. Usage among adults, including smokers and vapers, as a quitting aid is increasing. While there is little research in Australia, overseas studies suggest pouches are safer than traditional tobacco products. The government discourages their use due to concerns about youth access but currently has no plans to ban them.

April 15, 2024 by gfn.tv

Nicotine pouches such as Zonnic and Zyn have taken many countries by storm, but in Australia heavy handed restrictions on nicotine have limited legal access to pouches. In today's episode, Colin Mendelsohn updates us on the rise of nicotine pouches in Australia, and the science supporting the claim that they are safer than smoking.

April 15, 2024 by colinmendelsohn.com.au

Colin Mendelsohn criticizes the misleading information presented to the NSW Parliament Inquiry on vaping, emphasizing the need to balance concerns for youth safety with the public health benefits of vaping for smokers. He calls for regulation to reduce the black market, improve access for adult smokers, and align with other countries. Colin warns against basing decisions on false advice, urging the Committee to prioritize unbiased evidence for better public health outcomes.

April 12, 2024 by youtube.com

I gave evidence at the NSW Parliamentary Inquiry into vaping today. The myths and rampant misinformation being fed to the Inquiry are breathtaking. I tried to introduce the actual evidence and explained that vaping is beneficial overall to public health. Key message: The NSW Parliament must decide whether to allow the current failed model to continue under criminal control or to take control and regulate the market.

April 05, 2024 by colinmendelsohn.com.au

Submit to the Senate vaping inquiry by April 12, 2024, to advocate for a consumer-focused framework allowing vaping access like cigarettes, emphasizing benefits for adult smokers and concerns about youth vaping and the black market. Address issues with the current prescription-only model, such as limited availability and high costs. Recommend a regulatory setup akin to New Zealand's, promoting safe, regulated products and reducing criminal activity. Stress the importance of freedom of choice for a healthier alternative to smoking. Keep submissions concise and to the point. Deadline and submission details available on the Parliament of Australia website.

March 29, 2024 by colinmendelsohn.com.au

The parliamentary debate on vaping reform focused on reducing youth use, despite disagreement on other aspects. Concerns about youth vaping were challenged, with evidence showing minimal health risks. The debate highlighted misinformation, neglecting the positive impact of vaping as a quitting aid for adults. The current prohibition model was criticized for fueling the black market controlled by criminals. The Nationals proposed a regulated approach, similar to alcohol sales, to curb illicit trade and protect children. The future legislation will be determined by a Senate Inquiry accepting submissions until April 12, to decide between continuing prohibition or adopting an adult consumer regulation model.