Bendigo Community Health Services has welcomed government reforms to tighten regulations on highly dangerous and additive nicotine vaping products.

BCHS has led the local conversation about the dangers of vaping, having witnessed first-hand the impact on young people in particular.

Senior Health Promotion Officer Siobhan Sullivan said following community concern from schools and parents on the increased use of e-cigarettes among young people, last year BCHS launched the ‘there’s no safe vape’ campaign.

“We see these reforms as significant step that will deliver real change, particularly for young people,” Siobhan said.

“We’ve been delivering education, online and in person, to schools, parents and young people with the message that there is no safe way to vape.

“Still, we have seen a worrying and steady rise in vaping in our region, especially among teenagers.

“Although it is illegal for people under the age of 18 to purchase vapes in Australia, some retail and online stores are readily selling them.

“Earlier this year we submitted our feedback to the government’s proposed reforms to the regulation of nicotine vaping products, and we’re encouraged that many of our ideas are reflected in today’s announcement.”

BCHS has advocated for:

• A ban on flavours, harmful and unregulated ingredients within vapes.
• Vapes to be packaged in plain packaging to align with other prescription-only medicine.
• Vape packaging to feature pregnancy and age warnings.
• Restrictions on nicotine concentrations and volume levels.
• A ban on all disposable vapes.
• Effective controls on importation.

“We believe these government reforms will help prevent young people taking up vaping,” Siobhan said.

“Vaping is wrongly perceived as being a safer alternative to smoking, however the fact is that most e-cigarettes in Australia contain nicotine, even those that claim they don’t.

“Some contain as much nicotine as a pack of 20 regular cigarettes, plus many other cancer-causing chemicals.

“And we know that people who vape are more likely to then take up cigarette smoking.

“We owe it to our young people, and the impact on our health services now and into the future, to do everything we can to address this highly dangerous public health issue.

“We thank the government for listening to those working directly with community and we look forward to the strict and timely implementation of the reforms.”