In recent weeks residents have forwarded photos and concerns of 'vapes' retailers opening in areas frequented by younger residents, particularly around bus stops or pavement areas where young adults will 'hang out' together before and after school and on weekends.
Parents are calling for more scrutiny by those granting these leases, and those serving in the State and Federal health departments to ensure these locations cannot be used to target teenagers by the 'vapes' industry, which their chosen locations and signage would infer.
A 2020 study found that ''Findings suggest that, in some MSAs, vape shops and convenience stores may target youth and lower income populations.'' [1.]
A 2022 Curtin University (Western Australia) paper states: 'The availability of e-cigarette products from retail shops and particularly vape shops is increasing. E-cigarette retailers are using traditional promotional techniques including point-of-sale displays to market their products, while vape shops are extending their appeal through bar style, lounge layouts and free trials.' [2.]
At Newport a ‘vapes’ shop has been open for several months some 15 metres from the main Newport Village bus stop for home-bound school students. Now another lease has been granted for a 2nd, larger ‘vapes’ shop, right at the bus stop, when teens gather.
''Neither tenant stocks anything which could be considered healthy for the teens and sub-teens congregating here. Apart from vapes and vaping equipment, the product range covers sugar-saturated confectionery, caffeine-concentrated drinks and transfats-and-salt-rich snacks. These are mainly imported products, heavily promoted online to our youth, pushing them into the jaws of these two stores.'' states one resident
''And if the teens are shy or nervous about asking for these products instore, they’re encouraged to order online for home delivery. Look at a sample from the store product list:
''And what shopper at these stores needs a range of pocket, electronic scales that weigh to a maximum 300gm, in 0.01gm increments!?! ''
''What level of government – Local, State or Federal – can honestly adopt an attitude of “this is outside our jurisdiction”? This is purveying addictive poisons to our young people, directly targeting them as these stores’ primary prospects? And Newport Village is now about to have two of them!''
''At least one store lists “Tobacconist’ on its store sign.'' the Newport resident states
On Thursday June 22 news broke that a vape shop is opening on Avalon Parade, at the most eastern strip frequented by young adults - another 'hang out' spot. This one will be right next to businesses that focus on good health and pure foods and have a reputation for the same; an Açai shop, Avalon Organics and Nourished.
At Mona Vale a 'vapes' shop had closed at its previous location right at the prior main bus stop location on the corner of Waratah street and Pittwater road when the main bus stop was moved further north. Another has opened around the corner slightly into the Pittwater road run to Bayview where it is right opposite the main Mona Vale bus stops - with a signboard outside advertising itself faced towards that bus stop teenagers 'hang out' at.
Although e-cigarette retailers are advised to set up outlets in main strips of shopping areas with high visibility, just as any other business would logically aim to do, and have signs on doors that state someone must be over 18 to enter, there is a growing sentiment these stores are inappropriate in spaces frequented by young adults.
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signboard outside an e-cigarette store at Mona Vale faces towards the main bus-stop
Atop this, social media platforms favoured by young adults, such as Instagram and TikTok, overwhelmingly portray vaping in a positive light. This messaging makes it appear that e-cigarette use is common and socially acceptable.
Most platforms have content policies that expressly prohibit the promotion of tobacco product use, including e-cigarettes. But new Australian research, published May 2023, shows these policies are routinely violated with little or no consequences.
In some cases, these messages have even been shown to blatantly target teens.
''Seven popular hashtag-based keywords were used to identify TikTok accounts, and their videos related to e-cigarettes. Posts were independently coded by two coders. Collectively, the 264 videos received 2,470,373 views, 166,462 likes, and 3,426 comments. The overwhelming majority of videos (97.7%) portrayed e-cigarettes positively, and these posts received 98.7% of the total views and 98.2% of the total likes. A total of 44 posts (16.7%) clearly violated TikTok’s own content policy. The findings of the current study suggest that a variety of predominantly pro-vaping content is available on TikTok. Current policies and moderation processes appear to be insufficient in restricting the spread of pro e-cigarette content on TikTok specifically, and social media in general, resulting in health implications for this platforms predominantly young users.'' the study states
The findings identified a need for public health surveillance, regulations and legislation for the e-cigarette retail market where shops are using traditional and new promotional techniques to market e-cigarette products. [3.]
A quick search of any social media platform shows advertisements for vapes by local stores in our area, atop those signboards in public space.
Additionally, people are being targeted via email for new products - one just released, and specifically targeting young Australians, trades on another products' name, the other being known for containing non-harmful ingredients such as camomile, while this is touted as a 'non-nicotine' or 'nicotine alternative' product and uses young people to 'sell' the image.
Posted on Reddit:
11 May 2023 — Got something in my inbox from .... today about "St*m" nicotine alternative. I've never heard of it, Anyone tried it? Is it any good?
The push of 'non-nicotine' or 'nicotine alternative' products is to circumvent laws introduced banning e-cigarettes containing nicotine, as in most states in Australia selling e-cigarettes that do not contain nicotine is legal.
However, the content of these 'nicotine alternative' e-cigarettes can be just as harmful.
Despite an ongoing campaign by NSW Health to make young adults aware of the poisonous chemicals found in vapes, including a high level of addictive nicotine, numerous studies point out presenting facts to teenagers when they are being inundated with messaging via social media, email and high visibility stores where they live won't save the next generation from becoming addicts.
Others state messages about the short term and long term impact on their health are premature for teenagers as this age group live in the 'here and now', and before the prefrontal cortex of the adult brain, which relates to rationality, is fully developed - at around age 25 - people do not take such messaging seriously.
This is the part of the brain that responds to situations with good judgment and an awareness of long-term consequences.
However, as local teenagers are clearly able to fathom other rational insights, persistence in sharing what is actually in e-cigarettes must be pursued.
On May 2nd 2023 the Federal Government announced is taking strong action to reduce smoking and stamp out vaping – particularly among young Australians – through stronger legislation, enforcement, education and support.
The Government stated then it will work with states and territories to close down the sale of vapes in retail settings, ending vape sales in convenience stores and other retail settings, while also making it easier to get a prescription for legitimate therapeutic use.
The 2023–24 Budget included $737 million to fund a number of measures to protect Australians against the harm caused by tobacco and vaping products.
These measures were designed to complement the development of new proposed national tobacco control legislation first announced by the Government in November 2022.
Following public consultation led by the Therapeutic Goods Administration in December 2022, the Government is proposing stronger regulation and enforcement of all e-cigarettes, including new controls on their importation, contents and packaging.
The Government stated it will work with states and territories to stamp out the growing black market in illegal vaping, including to:
- stop the import of non-prescription vapes;
- increase the minimum quality standards for vapes including by restricting flavours, colours, and other ingredients;
- require pharmaceutical-like packaging;
- reduce the allowed nicotine concentrations and volumes; and
- ban all single use, disposable vapes.
The Hon Mark Butler MP, Minister for Health, stated;
“Young people who vape are three times as likely to take up smoking. So is it any wonder that under 25s are the only cohort in the community currently recording an increase in smoking rates?”
“Vaping is creating a whole new generation of nicotine dependency in our community. It poses a major threat to Australia’s success in tobacco control and the Albanese Government is not going to stand by and let this happen.”
“Vaping was sold to governments and communities around the world as a therapeutic product to help long-term smokers quit. It was not sold as a recreational product - especially not one targeted to our kids but that is what it has become.”
The 'vape' sellers have been active locally and across the nation to push back against any reforms that will limit their ability to keep selling e-cigarettes and accessories, one even reposting a push to roll back prescription only laws for nicotine products and allow e-cigarette dealers to sell these again. Videos, pictures, symbols and messages can be readily accessed and are being pushed out, despite changes announced in 2021.
Those unwilling to go into the stores are persistently encouraged to buy online where the landing page again informs you that no prescription is needed. The only 'check' to see if a purchaser is 18 or over is a question asking you the same to which you answer 'yes', and then go ahead and buy what 'nicotine alternative' you want to be delivered straight to you.
In NSW it is illegal to display e-cigarette advertisements. E-cigarette advertisement means writing or any still or moving picture, sign, symbol or other visual image or audible message that gives publicity to or is intended to promote the purchase of an e-cigarette product.
It is also illegal to give out free samples of e-cigarettes, yet one local dealer exhorts you to ''Visit us in store to browse our ranges and try our liquids at the tasting bars!''
Parents and grandparents are calling for more 'boots on the ground' to check compliance with the current NSW regulations and removal of licences to trade where they have been breached.
Residents are stating the October 2021 and May 2023 announced reforms do not go far enough and need to be adjusted to include removing these point-of-sale retail outlets from where they may target young people. They want a ban on e-cigarette stores in retail areas across the LGA, and they want that ban to be implemented immediately.
If tobacco cigarettes can no longer be displayed - why are we allowing e-cigarette products coloured like lollies to be sold from shopfronts shouting what they are in the public domain?
The laws and messages run by NSW Health run below for reference.
Additionally the Vaping evidence summary - NSW Health, from https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/tobacco/Pages/vaping-evidence-summary.aspx - makes interesting reading, especially for those breathing in weed killer or bug spay they've been told is 'just water'.
Or as Mr. Yul Brynner, lead in 'The Magnificent Seven' - a classic film about standing up to bullies - said not so long ago:
TikTok promotes vaping as a fun, safe and socially accepted pastime – and omits the harms
Social media platforms such as Instagram, TikTok and Facebook overwhelmingly show vaping in a positive light. This messaging makes it seem that e-cigarette use is common and socially accepted.
Traditional tobacco advertising has been banned in Australia for decades. However, e-cigarettes are widely promoted on social media, undoing some of the positive work of previous decades.
Most platforms have content policies that expressly prohibit the promotion of tobacco product use, including e-cigarettes. But our new research, published this week, shows these policies are routinely violated with little or no consequences.
Positive videos result in more vaping
E-cigarette use by young people, including in Australia, is rapidly growing. So is evidence of the harmful health effects of e-cigarettes.
Positive social media messages around vaping may particularly impact young people, who are the most frequent users of social media. In some cases, these messages have even been shown to blatantly target teens.
Research shows young people who view social media posts featuring e-cigarettes are more likely to vape and to view e-cigarettes positively. This is true of both e-cigarette advertising and user-generated content, with creators effectively doing the marketing job for e-cigarette companies.
TikTok emphasises tricks and downplays harms
In our recently published study, we looked at the ways e-cigarettes are being advertised and promoted on TikTok. We analysed 264 English language user-generated e-cigarette videos and evaluated them against TikTok’s own content policy in February 2022.
We found most of the videos (98%) portrayed e-cigarettes positively.
More than one-quarter of the videos clearly violated TikTok’s content policy and promoted vaping products for purchase.
Few videos contained health warnings. Only 2% of posts referenced vape or nicotine addiction.
A small number of posts referred to public health professionals or commented on e-cigarette regulation. These posts were comparatively less popular, receiving a smaller proportion of views and likes.
Half the videos referred to a vaping community. These posts were slightly more popular than those that didn’t refer to a shared identity. This may act to shape norms around e-cigarette use and increase the perception that vaping is socially accepted.
Popular posts also included references to vape tricks (such as creating shapes from exhaled aerosol), with early research showing adolescents often identified vaping tricks as the reason they started using e-cigarettes. Posts also used humour, which is an effective tool to reach young social media users.
Videos that violated content policy often provided details on how and where to purchase e-cigarette products. This included providing links to online retailers and to other social media accounts.
The promotion of offers such as giveaways and sale prices were common, in direct violation of content policy. Many posts also provided product reviews.
So what needs to happen?
We can’t rely on platforms to develop and enforce content policy. Social media policies are commonly violated and there are no major consequences – the platforms themselves decide the consequences for breaches.
This is a problem because social media platforms have a clear financial incentive not to punish people who breach their policies.
The federal government’s recent strong position to stamp out recreational vaping among young people through regulations, enforcement, education, plain packaging and a ban on flavourings is welcomed.
However, this did not include clamping down on e-cigarette advertising, promotion and sponsorship on social media, which is also clearly needed.
Emphasis needs to be placed on enforcement of policies. This must include requiring social media platforms to report on how they’re ensuring regulations are being upheld.
Current policies and moderation processes are insufficient in restricting the spread of pro e-cigarette content on TikTok. This is exposing young social media users to e-cigarette use. There needs to be greater regulation of e-cigarette content and its promotion, to prevent future uptake and harm to young people.
Renee Carey, Senior Research Fellow, Curtin University and Jonine Jancey, Academic and Director Collaboration for Evidence, Research and Impact in Public Health, Curtin University
This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
A damning review of e-cigarettes shows vaping leads to smoking, the opposite of what supporters claim
A major review on the health effects of e-cigarettes reflects what public health advocates have feared – escalating use of e-cigarettes in school-aged children, early warning signs of increased smoking rates in young Australians, and direct health harms of vaping in all ages.
The review, which was released today, was commissioned by the federal health department and conducted by researchers at the Australian National University.
Overall, it found the health risks from e-cigarettes significantly outweighed any potential benefits.
The review should silence lobbyists, who have long used data selectively to promote the sale of e-cigarettes. This is despite the fact previous , none as comprehensive and rigorous as this latest review, have delivered similar findings.
What does the review tell us?
The review looked at the evidence behind the health impacts of e-cigarettes or “vapes” – a diverse group of devices that aerosolise a liquid for inhalation. These are touted as a safer alternative to cigarettes and an aid to quit smoking.
The review found conclusive clinical evidence e-cigarettes cause acute (short-term) lung injury, poisoning, burns, seizures, and their use leads to addiction. They also cause less serious harms, such as throat irritation and nausea.
Evidence e-cigarettes produce airborne particles in indoor environments (potentially harming non-users) was also conclusive.
Among evidence ranked as strong, the review confirms what has worried tobacco control experts since patterns of e-cigarette use first emerged.
People who have never smoked or are non-smokers are three times as likely to smoke if they use e-cigarettes, compared with people who have never used e-cigarettes.
This is a dream for tobacco companies and their retail allies.
Weighing up the harms and the benefits
The review found limited evidence e-cigarettes assist individuals to stop smoking. But this is no stronger than evidence showing e-cigarette use might also cause former smokers to relapse and revert to tobacco.
There is no conclusive or strong evidence in the review for any beneficial outcome from e-cigarettes.
E-cigarettes might help some individuals stop smoking. So they should only be available via a prescription from authorised medical professionals trained in helping people to quit. Any access beyond this risks serious harm for no benefit.
Young people are vaping
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare data show the age group most likely to use e-cigarettes in their lifetime are 18 to 24-year-olds. This has risen from 19.2% in 2016 to 26.1% in 2019.
Of e-cigarette users who identify as smokers, the second largest user group is 14 to 17-year-olds. Dual use is starting young, from the limited Australian Institute of Health and Welfare data we have.
The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare data precedes increasingly visible use of e-cigarettes in Australian schools, reported in the media.
The review also shows young males are the leading e-cigarette user group by age and sex. Australian males aged 18-24 are also the only age group which, on the latest Australian Institute of Health and Welfare data, are smoking at greater rates than they were three years earlier.
We need to limit access
Whatever benefits might be delivered by e-cigarettes, such as helping people to quit smoking, would, according to the review, be modest compared with the harms they are likely to cause.
Unfortunately, public policy on the regulation of e-cigarettes is at risk of influence from powerful commercial interests. In the interests of public health, these forces must be resisted.
What should governments do?
Federal, state and territory governments have enacted policies aimed at providing e-cigarette access to individuals who might benefit from them to quit smoking, while protecting everyone else.
But the evidence on how widely e-cigarettes are used shows these policies need to be more tightly enforced.
It’s still easy to buy e-cigarettes online, they are available without prescription from petrol stations, tobacconists, specialty “vape” stores and are on-sold by entrepreneurs – all of them acting unlawfully. Heavy fines will end their cash incentive.
The review shows the risks to public health posed by e-cigarettes will only grow unless governments enforce their laws.
This is to protect young Australians from becoming the first generation since trend data was collected to smoke and use nicotine at higher rates than their predecessors.
Paul Grogan, Adjunct Senior Lecturer, The Daffodil Centre, University of Sydney and Guy B. Marks, Professor of Respiratory Medicine, South Western Sydney Clinical School, UNSW Sydney
This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
We asked over 700 teens where they bought their vapes. Here’s what they said
Teen vaping has been in the news, with reports of rapidly increasing use and illegal sales of e-cigarettes.
As a Four Corners documentary on ABC TV earlier this year showed, parents and schools are struggling to manage this swift rise in vaping, with fears children are addicted and harming their health.
In contrast, very limited research about Australian teen vaping has been published, until today.
We have published in the Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health the first results from the Generation Vape study. The study aims to to track teenagers’ knowledge, attitudes, beliefs and behaviours about using vapes (e-cigarettes).
Here’s what we found about where teenagers were accessing vapes and what types of products they use.
Vaping common, especially in non-smokers
We surveyed more than 700 teenagers 14-17 years old from New South Wales. The sample was closely representative of the population, with key characteristics such as age, gender, location and education monitored throughout data collection.
We found teenagers are readily accessing and using illegal, flavoured, disposable vaping products that contain nicotine.
Among the teens surveyed, 32% had ever vaped, at least a few puffs. Of these, more than half (54%) had never previously smoked.
Where are teens getting vapes from?
We found most teens (70%) didn’t directly buy the last vape they used. The vast majority (80%) of these got it from their friends.
However, for the 30% who did buy their own vape, close to half (49%) bought it from a friend or another individual, and 31% bought it from a retailer such as a petrol station, tobacconist or convenience store.
Teens also said they bought vapes through social media, at vape stores and via websites.
What products are teens using, and why?
Of the teens who had ever vaped and reported the type of device they used, 86% had used a disposable vape. This confirms anecdotal reports.
These devices appeal to young people and are easy to use. They do not require refilling (unlike tank-style vaping products) and are activated by inhaling on the mouthpiece.
Disposable vapes can contain hundreds, or even thousands of puffs, and are inexpensive, with illicit vapes from retail stores costing between $20-$30, or as little as $5 online.
There is an enormous range of vape flavours likely to appeal to children – from chewing gum to fruit and soft drink, even desserts. So it is unsurprising teens rated “flavourings and taste” as the most important characteristic of vapes they used.
Disposable vapes often contain very high concentrations of nicotine, even those claiming to be nicotine-free. The way these products are made (using nicotine salts rather than the free-base nicotine you’d find in cigarettes) allows manufacturers to increase the nicotine concentration without causing throat irritation.
In our study, over half (53%) of the teens who had ever vaped said they had used a vape containing nicotine. Many, however, were unsure whether they had used a vape containing nicotine (27%).
All vaping products, irrespective of nicotine content, are illegal to sell to under 18s in Australia.
Today, disposable vapes containing nicotine can only be legally sold in Australia by pharmacies to adult users with a valid prescription.
We need to end illegal imports and sales
Our results emphasise that teen vaping is increasingly normalised, and the most popular devices are designed to be highly appealing to young people. This is despite product manufacturers and proponents claiming they are smoking cessation aids only for adult smokers who are struggling to quit.
Turning the tide on teen vaping requires strong and immediate policy action, including ending the illicit importation and sale of vaping products.
Education is often the default first action to address unhealthy behaviours in young people. However, unless this is coupled with strong, supportive policy action, this approach is unlikely to have any measurable impact. Education campaigns cannot protect young people from an industry that so freely disregards laws meant to protect health.
We have strong evidence that vaping leads to harms such as poisoning, injuries, burns, toxicity, addiction and lung injury. The odds of becoming a smoker is more than three times higher for never-smokers who vape than for never-smokers who don’t vape.
What’s next?
This study uses data from the first wave of the Generation Vape research project, a three-year study with Australian teenagers, young adults, parents and guardians of teenagers, and secondary school teachers.
It is funded by the Cancer Council NSW, federal Department of Health and Ageing, NSW Ministry of Health, Cancer Institute NSW and the Minderoo Foundation.
Future waves of this repeat cross-sectional study, coupled with in-depth interviews, will allow us to track and monitor changes to adolescent, young adult, teacher, and parent attitudes, perceptions, and knowledge of vaping over time.
Vaping is a rapidly evolving public health crisis in Australia. Our research provides evidence for concerted policy action to prevent young people from accessing harmful and addictive products.
Failure to act will see a whole new generation of Australians addicted to dangerous products.
Christina Watts, Research fellow, tobacco control, University of Sydney; Becky Freeman, Associate Professor, School of Public Health, University of Sydney, and Sam Egger, Biostatistician, University of Sydney
This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.