PUBLIC health experts are calling for updated advertising laws to stop the promotion of vaping to young people on social media.<\/p>\n
Experts are weighing in on possible solutions to the looming youth vaping crisis ahead of a public consultation deadline on nicotine e-cigarette reforms.<\/p>\n
VicHealth chief executive health officer Sandro Demaio said companies were targeting young people by using fruity flavours, childish packaging and shaping the products like hoodie toggles or highlighters.<\/p>\n
“Young people are clearly being targeted and targeted very successfully, the government needs to step up and take action,” he said.<\/p>\n
He said companies were also using social media to market vaping products to young people.<\/p>\n
“Our billboard is now in our pocket, not on the street. We need to make sure that our advertising rules are updated to protect young people,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Victoria’s health promotion foundation also wants to see tougher border restrictions on these products, a clampdown on sales in stores and more support services for addicted youths.<\/p>\n
Dr Demaio said the industry was using a loophole on nicotine-free e-cigarettes as a “Trojan horse”, with research revealing many products contain nicotine despite the packaging suggesting otherwise.<\/p>\n
Health minister Mark Butler announced the review of Australia’s regulatory framework in late November in the hope of quickly pushing through flavouring and labelling controls on imports.<\/p>\n
“Why on earth would you be marketing bubble gum-flavoured vapes with pink unicorns on them except to appeal to children, not even adolescents, young children?” he said in November.<\/p>\n
The reforms are targeted at preventing access to young people while supporting adults to access regulated products to quit smoking with a doctor’s permission.<\/p>\n