According to foreign reports, the Australian Ministry of health has suspended the ban on the import of nicotine liquid to Australia. The ban, which is due to take effect on July 1, will block imports of e-cigarettes and nicotine substitutes for the first 12 months, with a possible fine of up to $220000.
The ban was delayed for six months to allow the Australian authorities to conduct a formal review and consultation on the classification of nicotine. Now the ban will begin on January 1, 2021.
The Australian government has said the decision is to help people who use e-cigarettes to help them quit smoking.
In response, John Dunne, head of ukvia, commented: “we welcome the Australian government’s decision to postpone the ban and call on them to completely lift it within the next six months. In the UK, the clear recommendation of health authorities, including UK public health, is that e-cigarettes can effectively help quit smoking and stay smoke-free. Obviously, e-cigarettes are far less harmful than cigarettes. “
The Australian convenience store association also believes that the policy should be abandoned completely because it will make it more difficult for people to quit smoking.
“Australia now has 400000 former smokers using e-cigarettes, and in all OECD countries except Turkey and Australia, e-cigarettes are legal, regulated and taxed, so the government should seek to better regulate the Australian market,” said chief executive Jeff rogut.
“It makes no sense to make it harder for people to get products that research shows are safer than traditional tobacco, which have helped many people quit smoking. We need to make it easier for people to use them. “
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