Here’s what the experts had to say about the TGA’s decision to not lift the ban in nicotine e-cigarettes.
Professor Mike Daube is from the School of Health Sciences at Curtin University
“The TGA is Australia’s independent arbiter. Its decisions are based on evidence and the best science, not anecdote, lobbying and wishful thinking.
This is a sound and sensible decision based on the best available evidence.
Australia is already a world leader in reducing smoking – described by the tobacco industry as “the darkest tobacco market in the world”. We should keep doing the things we know work, that are already driving down smoking dramatically in both adults and children.”
Adjunct Associate Professor Renee Bittoun is a Tobacco Treatment Specialist (TTS) at The University of Sydney
“I am strongly opposed to the introduction of electronic cigarettes. I believe them to be the cigarettes of the 21st Century.
We have, over my career, been able to dramatically reduce the prevalence of smoking in Australia to one of the lowest in the world due to factors such as litigation, education, taxation and cessation initiatives. We do not need to introduce a new source of nicotine delivery device. This is a consumer issue as e cigarettes are addictive and promote the continuation and consumption of a tobacco product for life.”
Dr David Chapman is from the Translational Airways Group at the University of Technology Sydney. He is an active researcher in the field of e-cigarettes and human health
“In light of the recent decision from the TGA regarding maintaining nicotine on the dangerous poisons act list we thought we could add our perspective as active researchers in the field of e-cigarettes and human health.
E-cigarettes are considered a safer alternative to tobacco cigarettes because they do not require combustion and produce reduced levels of many toxic compounds. However, they still expose users to numerous toxic compounds and it is unknown whether a reduction in these compounds equates to improved health outcomes. Nicotine is a highly addictive compound and itself leads to detrimental health outcomes.
Additionally, the compounds used to provide the ‘smoke’ effect while vaping may contribute to the dangers of e-cigarette use.
Lastly, although flavour additives are safe for ingestion, they are likely toxic when heated and inhaled. Some flavour additives are already known to cause irreversible lung disease in factory workers who have been exposed to the fumes from heated flavouring compounds.
The role of e-cigarettes in reducing the health effects of tobacco smoking is not well understood. Initial research suggested that e-cigarettes had limited effectiveness in smoking cessation but there is now evidence from the UK that e-cigarette use has increased the success of quit attempts.
However, many tobacco smokers are simply smoking in conjunction with e-cigarette use and whether this dual use leads to positive or negative outcomes is not known.
Although evidence from the US suggests that adolescents who use e-cigarettes are more likely to become tobacco smokers, the majority of e-cigarette users at present appear to be former or current tobacco smokers. Therefore, it is unclear as to whether e-cigarettes will provide a new generation of smokers or reduce the current population of smokers.
I view the nicotine ban in e-cigarettes by the TGA as a good idea until more information is known. The downside of this decision is that e-cigarette users will still import nicotine containing e-cigarette fluids from the internet which may also contain other harmful products.
Simon Chapman is an Emeritus Professor at the Sydney School of Public Health, University of Sydney