July 9, 2023 3:00pm by David Farrar

Aussie expert on vaping

The Government have announced a ban on most disposable vapes from August, but one health professional says they’re a positive for public health overall.

Speaking on Breakfast this morning, Australian anti-tobacco campaigner Dr Colin Mendelsohn, says disposable vapes are a tool in helping people give up smoking cigarettes.

“I think there’s no question now, the evidence is becoming stronger and stronger, vaping is a highly effective method, it’s the best method we have, it’s not perfect but it’s by far the most effective method,” he said.

They are highly effective. Without vaping we would have no chance of meeting our 2025 target of fewer than 5% smoking tobacco.

Across the ditch, similar concerns around vapes prompted a crackdown on the sale of disposable vapes – and the requirement to obtain a prescription, but health experts say it’s having the reverse effect – driving an underground, black market.

He believes it would be a “big mistake” for New Zealand to go down the same path.

“There are no age restrictions in the black market and the products are not being assessed for quality or safety.”

Dr Mendelsohn says the prescription model is a “slow train wreck”.

I hope we listen to him.