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Tobacco giants are making a comeback, with the Nationals lending them a hand. We must resist their efforts to promote vaping.
The government’s rules on vaping are a good start, but they don’t fully address some important concerns.
Starting from July 1st, only vapes prescribed by doctors and sold at pharmacies should be allowed. As a pediatrician who has seen a big rise in vaping among kids in Australia, I wish the government had acted on this much earlier. But as a politician, I’m worried about the pushback from the tobacco and vaping industries, and the political parties they support.
The number of young Australians using vapes has skyrocketed by 12 times in the last four years, reaching over 12%. Vaping is very addictive. And as vaping rates go up, so does teen smoking – for the first time in many years. Vaping often leads young people into the deadly tobacco habit, which still kills over 20,000 Australians every year.
They’re going all out with influencer marketing and product placement. On Instagram alone, there are over 18,000 Australian “vaping influencer” accounts, many of which promote online vape stores directly.
The tobacco industry is finding support through advertising campaigns led by lobby groups and related commercial interests. For instance, the Australian Retailers Association worked with Burson Cohn and Wolfe, funded by Philip Morris International, to push for e-cigarette legalization. Responsible Vaping Australia, backed by British American Tobacco, is another example. Brian Marlow, from the Australian Taxpayers’ Alliance, also heads Legalise Vaping Australia and has donated $44,000 to the Liberal party, initially declared as personal gifts but later linked to LVA’s $98,000 fund, partnered with Australian Retail Vaping Industry Australia, funded by Philip Morris.
Political parties have deep connections with the tobacco industry. Research from the University of Sydney and Cancer Council NSW shows that nearly half of tobacco lobbyists previously held government positions. The relationship is especially strong with the Nationals; lobbyists associated with BAT hired former Nationals deputy director Michael Kauter and ex-adviser Jeremy Greenwood. Senators like Matt Canavan and Hollie Hughes have advocated for vapes, opposing the 2020 Senate’s recommendation to ban e-cigarettes.
Despite Australia being a signatory to the World Health Organization’s framework convention on tobacco control, there are concerns about officials attending events with tobacco representatives. Health Minister Mark Butler reminded parliamentarians of this guideline, but enforcement is challenging. Donations from Philip Morris Limited and BAT to the Nationals raise questions about their stance on vaping regulation.
Meanwhile, the tobacco industry is pushing its vaping products aggressively. Philip Morris International offers its VEEV products to some pharmacies below cost, with conditions attached. They also supply vapes to telehealth providers like MyDuke, raising concerns about prescribing restrictions. PMI expects significant revenue from vaping products globally by 2025.
While the government’s vaping legislation is a step forward, it may be too late and challenging to enforce. Mark Butler deserves credit for addressing this issue, but more action is needed. Restrictions on lobbyists’ interactions with politicians, ending the revolving door between government and tobacco industry jobs, and banning political donations from harmful industries would strengthen integrity. These measures align with the crossbench’s integrity agenda, already presented in bills awaiting enactment. As long as Australia remains weak on integrity, big tobacco will continue to find ways back into the spotlight.
Dr. Monique Ryan, the independent MP for Kooyong, emphasizes the need for integrity in dealing with the tobacco industry.
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