Nationals' policy will increase the vaping problem. Their history of receiving tobacco industry money means they're irrelevant in any vaping discussion: PHAA - Public Health Association of Australia

21 Mar 2023 1:23 PM

The public health community unequivocally rejects and condemns the National Party new position on e-cigarettes and vaping announced today.

“It is dangerous and is guaranteed to commit today’s children and future generations of Australians to lifelong nicotine addiction,” Public Health Association of Australia CEO, Adj Prof Terry Slevin, said.

“Tobacco is one of the most available consumer products in the market. It is available in supermarkets, convenience stores, petrol stations, bars, pubs, clubs, and more. This is exactly the model that will make the vaping problem worse, so it is the opposite of the solution we need.

“By being the only major political party in Australian that takes tobacco industry money – at least $276,062 between 2015-16 and 2021-22 from Philip Morris Ltd – the Nationals have ensured its views on this issue are worse than irrelevant. 

“It invites the community, and any serious policy makers, to see its pronouncements on tobacco and vaping to be likely to be influenced by the industry which seeks to continue to profit from ill health and nicotine addiction.

“We understand it was the Nationals who worked aggressively within the previous Coalition government to water down the regulation installed when they were part of government, which they now recognise has failed.

“We will continue to work with the Australian Government and other entities which are serious about taking genuine, meaningful action to reduce the harms from vaping. These steps should include tougher border controls and banning retail sales of vaping nicotine and supposed non-nicotine products outside a medical prescription model.”

This comes on a day when researchers from the ANU published a new paper summarising evidence finding that vaping is linked to “poisoning, immediate toxicity (including seizures) and lung injury. Malfunctioning devices causing injury and burns. Environmental effects including waste, fires, and generation of indoor airborne particulate matter.  Nicotine e-cigs cause addiction or dependence in non-smokers and young non-smokers more likely to initiate smoking to become regular smokers.”

The list of recent tobacco industry donations accepted by the National Party includes: (Source: AEC filings).

$55,000, Philip Morris Ltd, 2021-22, reported 23/03/22

$55,000, Philip Morris Ltd, 2021-22, reported 07/10/22

$55,000, Philip Morris Ltd, 2019-20, reported 25/11/20

$22,000, Philip Morris Ltd, 2018-19, reported 27/08/18

$2,062, Philip Morris Ltd, 2018-19, reported 27/09/18

$6,000, Philip Morris Ltd, 2017-18, reported 01/08/17

$22,000, Philip Morris Ltd, 2017-18, reported 24/08/17

$11,000, Philip Morris Ltd, 2017-18, reported 13/09/17

$10,000, Philip Morris Ltd, 2017-18, reported 15/12/17

$7,500, Philip Morris Ltd, 2017-18, reported, 09/05/18

$15,700, Philip Morris Ltd, 2016-17, reported 13/7/16, 16/11/16 and 8/5/17

$14,800, Philip Morris Ltd, 2015-16, reported 13/8/15 and 26/4/16

 

For further information/comment:

Paris Lord (he/him), PHAA Communications & Media Manager, 0478 587 917, plord@phaa.net.au 

 

Key Facts:

The Nationals have accepted at least $275,000 in tobacco industry money between 2015-16 and 2021-22

Contact details:

Paris Lord (he/him), PHAA Communications & Media Manager, 0478 587 917, plord@phaa.net.au 

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