Australian healthcare institutions support electronic cigarette legislation reform

According to Miragenews on March 21, several leading healthcare institutions in Australia have unanimously supported an electronic cigarette legislative reform measure announced today by Health Minister Mark Butler. These institutions include more than ten, including the Australian Cancer Commission, Medical Association, Public Health Association, Australian Lung Foundation, and Heart Foundation.
The Minister of Health issued the 2024 Therapeutic Supplies and Other Legislation Amendment (Electronic Cigarette Reform) bill today. The bill aims to protect young people from the harm of electronic cigarettes by preventing the manufacturing, advertising, supply, and commercial industries from owning non therapeutic disposable electronic cigarettes.
According to data from the Australian Health Commission (AIHW), almost 60% of e-cigarette users are currently under the age of 30. The most worrying thing is that over 60% of teenagers aged 15 to 24 are first-time smokers of electronic cigarettes. Public health and medical experts point out that today's ban on over-the-counter, disposable e-cigarettes can help change this trend. Medical experts also say that this measure is beneficial for smokers to help quit smoking under the guidance of medical professionals.
Terry Slevin, CEO of the Public Health Association, called on all lawmakers to take advantage of this opportunity to protect the health of young people in Australia.
"The tobacco and e-cigarette industries in multiple countries around the world will spare no effort to prevent the passage of this legislation. If this bill is passed, the world's attention will focus on Australia, which will significantly reduce the use of e-cigarettes."