Australian Medical Association: Public supports stricter e-cigarette regulations

New research from the Cancer Council in Victoria, Australia, on Feb. 15 shows that Australians support stricter regulation of e-cigarettes.

A survey released today by the Cancer Council of Victoria shows that a majority of Australians support the Australian Medical Association's call for stricter regulation of e-cigarettes.

AMA President Professor Steve Robson said the survey results show that nine in ten Australians want tighter regulation of e-cigarettes and e-cigarette products, which should further push the federal government to tighten regulations.

"This study by the Council's Cancer Behaviour Research Centre shows that Australians share the AMA's concerns and want better regulation," Professor Robson said.

"We have made it very clear to the federal government that without strong action, Australia risks losing the e-cigarette public health battle. E-cigarettes are not harmless, they are not safe, and they are not part of tobacco control," he said.

The American Medical Association's recent advisory to the Therapeutic Goods Administration on potential reforms to the regulation of nicotine e-nebulized products (NVP) calls for regulatory changes to restrict access to nicotine e-nebulized products by prohibiting personal importation and reducing the allowable concentration of nicotine. 

"The personal importation scheme bypasses many of the product standards contained in the regulations, including labeling, packaging and record keeping requirements, and is extremely challenging to implement," Professor Robson said.

While the TGA consultation focused primarily on NVP, the AMA supports the implementation of controls on all e-cigarette products imported through customs.  

"This would begin to address the public health challenges of addressing non-nicotine e-cigarettes and nicotine products. The different regulation of nicotine and non-nicotine e-cigarette products complicates and impedes progress on this issue," Professor Robson said.

"E-cigarette products are a way for young people to smoke, and there are significant risks associated with e-cigarettes that require greater regulation. For example, we know that many products sold without nicotine have been found to contain nicotine, and products have also been found to contain banned chemicals that can cause serious harm, such as vitamin E acetate and diacetyl, which can cause serious damage to the lungs. "

Professor Robson said the AMA agrees that stronger regulation is needed to curb the proliferation of recreational non-nicotine e-cigarette products, including implementing similar regulations for tobacco products, such as health warnings, better labeling, no-frills packaging and tobacco licensing. 

"We also need a targeted federal response to monitor and act on illegal advertising and promotion of e-cigarettes - particularly online and on social media - and to strengthen enforcement of existing state and territorial regulations to help deter online and through illegal e-cigarette sales in stores.

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