E-cigarettes to fall under Qld tobacco laws after amendment bill introduced

Updated

Queensland is set to become the first state to subject e-cigarettes to the same laws as the tobacco variety.

The State Government wants to amend tobacco laws so e-cigarettes can only be used in designated smoking areas, cannot be sold to minors, and cannot be advertised or publicly displayed.

Health Minister Lawrence Springborg will introduce the amendment bill into Parliament today, with the laws due to come into effect from January 1, 2015.

The new laws will primarily be enforced by Queensland Health officers who will be able to ask smokers to stop, give a warning or issue an on-the-spot fine of about $220.

Penalties for retailers will also apply.

"This early, preventive action addresses public health concerns about these products including their use in smoke-free places, the unknown health effects of use and exposure, and potential for a new market of smoking," Mr Springborg said in a statement.

"Like regular cigarettes, the Tobacco Act amendments will not ban these devices outright but will subject them to tough restrictions."

The amendment follows the release of a World Health Organisation report last month which found there was insufficient evidence that e-cigarettes help people to quit smoking.

It also showed nicotine exposure had the potential to affect brain development.

Liquid nicotine, used in some e-cigarettes, is already illegal in Queensland.

Mr Springborg said evidence regarding the short- and long-term health effects of direct or second-hand inhalation of vapour from e-cigarettes was still developing.

"However, unlike the delay in responding to the dangers of tobacco smoking we have an opportunity to take action now to protect the health of Queenslanders," he said.

Last month, it was revealed that accidental poisonings from e-cigarettes had risen significantly in Australia over the past five years, with many severe cases affecting children.

The number of calls to the country's four Poison Information centres went from two to 54 between 2009 and 2013.

Cancer Council commends new laws

Cancer Council Queensland CEO Professor Jeff Dunn welcomed the amendment proposal, calling e-cigarettes a significant threat to public health.

"No e-cigarette has been tested for quality, safety or performance by the Therapeutic Goods Administration," Professor Dunn said.

"These new laws are an important step toward a smoke-free future, and another great step in ensuring the health and safety of Queenslanders in their local communities.

"The Health Minister's action on this issue will further discourage our next generation from taking up smoking, continuing our progress towards a smoke-free Queensland."

Professor Dunn also called for the Government to introduce new laws to create smoke-free public places across the state.

"Smoke-free spaces will protect people from the harmful effects of smoking, encourage more smokers to quit, and prevent more young people from taking up this lethal habit," he said.

"The community is increasingly aware of the harmful health impacts of smoking, with the majority of Queenslanders supporting the creation of statewide smoke free places at bus stops, taxi ranks, ferry terminals, and pedestrian malls."

Topics: smoking, state-parliament, qld

First posted