CAPHRA Tells Aussie Senate to Look at New Zealand - Tobacco Reporter
CAPHRA urges the Australian Senate to consider New Zealand's successful vaping regulation model as a contrast to prohibitionist approaches.Summary
The Coalition of Asia Pacific Tobacco Harm Reduction Advocates (CAPHRA) has presented evidence to the Australian Senate, highlighting the contrasting outcomes of tobacco control policies in New Zealand and Australia. CAPHRA points to New Zealand’s regulated vaping market, which has coincided with declining smoking rates – adult daily smoking at 6.8% and youth smoking at 3.2% – as a positive example. In contrast, Australia’s strict prohibitions on nicotine vaping and focus on illicit tobacco enforcement have not yielded similar results. Despite spending A$157 million on enforcement, Australia lost A$6.7 billion in tobacco excise revenue in 2023-24, and its illicit tobacco market is valued at A$4 billion. CAPHRA also referenced the Philippines, with a regulated market, alongside India and Thailand, where total bans have fostered black markets and increased youth access to dangerous products.
(Source：Tobacco Reporter)
