When it comes to youth vaping, the Australian government has done enough is ensure reduced consumption of vapes amongst young adults. However, their efforts do not seem to be bearing any fruits. In fact, specialists are of the idea that the government should enforce even stricter rules to deal with this sorry state. This is because of the recent spike in teen vaping in the country.
Victoria has in particular made headlines after a study by the Victorian Smoking and Health Survey depicted that the region recorded an overwhelming vaping statistic. The study shows that Victorians aged between 18 to 30 years old constitute most of the vapers in the state as they comprise 50% of all the vapers in Victoria.
The details of the study revealed that between 2018 to 2019, there was a 2.8% increase among young adults using e-cigarettes. The same study shows that vaping among the same young adults aged between 18-24 years has increased by 12.4% since 2019.
According to the CEO of VicHealth, Dr. Sandro Demaio the numbers to not come as a surprise. Dr. Sandro seems to be implying that stricter rules need to be put in place for reduced teen vaping to occur. He particularly called for strengthening of the borders in Australia if the quest for protecting the youth against the toxic drug.
Dr. Sandro does not seem to provide a solution to the government alone but to the production companies as well. According to the VicHealth CEO, the packaging of the vaping products if the first sell out. This is because they are packaged and marketed through measures that entice the youth.
With such youthful packaging and marketing tactics, it is impossible for the youth to fail to become addicts of the vapes. Companies should therefore work on that but while at it, Dr. Sandro urges for revision of the prices of the e-cigarettes. This is because they are currently affordable making them easily accessible to the youth.
Passing of laws by the government can take such a great time. However, educating the young adults can be done overnight. Therefore, in addition to the solutions provided by Dr. Sandro Demaio, experts should also look into creating awareness about the impacts of vaping.
They should also let the addicted teenagers become aware of the safe alternative to vaping such as taking tobacco infused e-cigarettes. With this they will manage their vaping habits without being exposed to any health dangers associated with vaping or smoking at such a young and tender age.
Truth be told, I think the government has done all it can in the fight against teen vaping. It is also true that there is more that the government can do whether this means passing stricter laws or more. However, the community needs to understand that the war against young adulting vaping is not the governments alone. Everyone, from law enforcers to the retailers and the guardians have a role to play if we want to put this disaster to rest.
