A doctor-led charity leading the fight to legalise the vaping of nicotine and giving the impression it is free of industry ties had accepted initial funding from e-cigarette businesses, Fairfax Media can reveal.

In carefully worded statements on its website and in press releases, the Australian Tobacco Harm Reduction Association (ATHRA) says it doesn't accept tobacco company donations and its directors have no financial relationships with e-cigarette companies, giving the impression it is independent.

Vaping proponents say legalising e-cigarettes would save lives. Credit:Joe Armao

But Fairfax Media can reveal ATHRA, created last year and fiercely lobbying for change, had accepted initial funding from vaping interests – $15,000 from e-liquid supplier Nicopharm and $2500 from e-cigarette maker Nicovape – to cover set-up costs.

"We do not say that we do not accept funding from the vaping industry, which is quite separate from the tobacco industry," ATHRA chairman and tobacco treatment specialist Colin Mendelsohn said.