The importation of single-use electronic cigarettes into Australia will be banned from January 1 given their “worrying” success among young people, the government announced on Tuesday.
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In a country where less than 12% of the population smokes daily, about 15% of 14- to 17-year-olds use electronic cigarettes, according to official figures.
“The vast majority of electronic cigarettes contain nicotine and children are becoming addicted,” said Health Minister Mark Butler.
This phenomenon is all the more “worrying” because vapers are three times more likely to also smoke tobacco, he emphasized.
The ban on imports of disposable electronic cigarettes, which are cheap and easily accessible, is intended to dry up the market. A ban on the production and sale of such products must follow in 2024.
Australia is proud to be at the forefront of the fight against tobacco.
In 2012, the country became the first country in the world to introduce plain cigarette packs. At 50 Australian dollars (30 euros) per pack, the price of tobacco is among the highest in the world.
Also at the forefront of this issue, New Zealand last year passed a “generational smoking ban,” banning the sale of cigarettes to people born after 2008.
However, New Zealand’s new Conservative government confirmed on Monday its intention to abandon the measure, citing fears it would create a huge black market in tobacco sales.