The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) says tighter regulations on nicotine vaping products (NVPs) are critical to prevent Australians from harm.
The RACGP called for stronger border controls, stricter regulation of products, restricting flavours to tobacco and pharmaceutical-like packaging with health risk warnings, and restricting NVP supply to a three-month prescription.
RACGP President Dr Nicole Higgins said vaping products that were sold as non-nicotine products, yet contained nicotine, were of particular concern to GPs.
“Times have changed, and they’ve [Big Tobacco] adapted by becoming Big Nicotine. More and more young people who have never smoked cigarettes are now vaping and this is deeply concerning,” Dr Higgins said.
Dr Higgins further warns that due to their successful marketing tactics as safer alternatives, Australia is at risk for trading one public health disaster for another.
