ARA calling for change around electronic cigarettes

THE Australian Retailers Association (ARA) notes the final report from the Standing Committee on Health, Aged Care and Sport regarding the Inquiry into the Use and Marketing of Electronic Cigarettes and Personal Vaporisers in Australia but still calls on the Government to legalise e-cigarettes.

Russell Zimmerman, Executive Director of the ARA, said the ARA’s submission to the Inquiry called for retailers to be permitted to legally sell electronic cigarettes following substantial evidence of people wanting a less harmful product.

“To-date, research has shown that electronic cigarettes are an effective and less-harmful alternative to traditional tobacco products,” Mr Zimmerman said.

“As e-cigarettes are currently only available on the black market or through personal importation, legalising the sale of e-cigarettes will assist the Government in removing the risk of unregulated and unsafe black market activity.”

In its final report, the Inquiry recommended further research should take place before a decision to legalise the sale of e-cigarettes in Australia is made. While the Committee Chair, Trent Zimmerman MP, and Tim Wilson MP recommended that the devices be made legally available for sale, under the similar regulation as regular tobacco products. 

The ARA welcomes the Inquiry’s recommendations however, does not believe that electronic cigarettes should be subject to the same regulations as traditional tobacco products, as electronic cigarettes do not contain tobacco and are proven harm-reduction devices.

“We are calling on the Health Minister to accept the findings of the Inquiry and move swiftly to allow retailers to legally sell electronic cigarettes,” Mr Zimmerman said.

“We also acknowledge crossbench support for legal consumption of e-cigarettes as the US and UK already provide these tobacco alternatives.”

Mr Zimmerman said the current regulations around electronic cigarettes will continue to put small retailers and consumers in danger.

“We need to legalise these less-harmful alternatives otherwise consumers will seek out illegal tobacco products through the black market and put their health and safety at risk.”

 

About the Australian Retailers Association

Founded in 1903, the Australian Retailers Association (ARA) is Australia’s largest retail association, representing the country’s $310 billion sector, which employs more than 1.2 million people. As Australia’s leading retail peak body industry, the ARA is a strong pro-active advocate for Australian retail and works to ensure retail success by informing, protecting, advocating, educating and saving money for its 7,500 independent and national retail members throughout Australia. For more information, visit www.retail.org.au or call 1300 368 041.

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