Victoria's health promotion foundation is urging the federal government to act "swiftly" to stop Australian youths from vaping, as its consultation on proposed reforms enters the final week.
VicHealth chief executive Sandro Demaio described vaping use among the youth population as "exploding" over the past two years.
"The industry has used the pandemic … and uncertainty young people have been facing … to push these products very successfully onto young people," Dr Demaio said.
Research conducted by the Cancer Council Victoria revealed young people aged 18-30 years made up the largest proportion of vape users in Victoria.
A study conducted by the Cancer Council NSW showed nearly 80 per cent of New South Wales teenagers who had vaped found it "easy" to access e-cigarettes from multiple illegal sources and that the flavour was the main factor driving product choice.
Dr Demaio said the long-term health consequences were "unknown", but that was no reason for the public and governments to be complacent.
"These products contain hundreds of chemicals [which users] breathe deep into their lungs," he said.
"My significant concern is that if we don't act on vaping swiftly and comprehensively to protect young people, not only will we end up with a whole new generation addicted to nicotine, but we may look back and realise these things are far more dangerous than we first understood."
TGA consultation underway
Since November 30, the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has been seeking public comment on potential reforms to vaping products that contain nicotine.
This consultation is due to end on January 16.
Dr Demaio said he supported the use of e-cigarettes as a second or third-line tobacco cessation tool, but action needed to be taken to protect youths who had never smoked from becoming addicted to nicotine in the first place.
He recommended steps including tightening Australia's borders to limit the amount of product flowing through to communities without a prescription, and updating advertising laws of vaping products.
"Making sure young people can't walk into a shop, heavily promoted, with a bubble-gum flavoured [vape] product that looks like a hoodie toggle or makeup pen and get addicted," he said.
'Lives are at stake'
In a statement, federal Health Minister Mark Butler criticised the former government's handling of vaping, describing it as being "asleep at the wheel" as usage rates of the product soared.
Mr Butler said the current TGA consultation would help the government determine where the regulatory framework fell short and what action needed to be taken.
"I'm determined to see Australia reclaim its position as a world leader on tobacco control because, quite frankly, lives are at stake," he said.
Fears for regional youth
Research is yet to be conducted comparing the use of vapes among metropolitan youths and those in regional locations.
But Dr Demaio said vaping product companies had used the isolation and vulnerability of youths to get them hooked to the products.
"I wouldn't be surprised if the issue was just as bad, if not possibly more significant, in areas where young people are more vulnerable," he said.
