AACS: E-CIGARETTES ARE A TOOL THAT MUST BE GIVEN A CHANCE TO WORK

February 9, 2015: As interest in e-cigarettes increases and the Department of Health signals its intention to review policy options for these products, The Australasian Association of Convenience Stores (AACS) has urged the Government to recognise the potential for e-cigarettes to be an effective tool to reduce smoking by establishing a regulatory environment that enables them to serve this purpose.
AACS CEO Jeff Rogut said there is growing demand for e-cigarette products among consumers and responsible retailers recognise the potential of these products to be a profitable category with growth potential.
“Everyone is different and while e-cigarettes may help some smokers kick the habit, others may not find it effective. The Government owes it to those who will potentially find e-cigarettes helpful in quitting to make these products safely and responsibly available,” Mr Rogut said.
It is anticipated that the Department of Health will release a report on policy options for the manufacture and sale of e-cigarettes in the middle of the year.
“Much will depend on the approach ultimately adopted. If these products are to be treated like tobacco products, the potential for them to succeed in helping people quit will be jeopardised,” Mr Rogut said.
“We should be focused on providing smokers with more options to help them quit, not making existing options less accessible.”
There is growing consensus among many in public health that e-cigarettes are generally significantly less risky than conventional cigarettes and that a switch to e-cigarettes by smokers has the potential to lead to an unprecedented public health success in terms of tobacco control and harm reduction.
“The Department of Health’s interest in developing a policy surrounding the sale of e-cigarettes will be a critical influence as to whether these products are given the opportunity to have a positive impact on smoking rates, or whether they will be viewed merely as another avenue for the Government to collect tax,” Mr Rogut said.
Mr Rogut urged the Government to ensure e-cigarette products meet strict safety and quality standards and that manufacturers have the right to inform consumers about their products, in terms of them containing nicotine but being safer than inhaling tobacco smoke.
Ensuring e-cigarettes are child-tamper proof and ensuring ingredients are clearly marked are examples of necessary minimum safety requirements, he said.
“There is a steadily growing market for illegal e-cigarettes in Australia. A reasonable approach to regulating these products is essential if we are to help those who are genuinely trying to quit smoking while ensuring minimum safety and quality standards are satisfied,” Mr Rogut said.
Further information:
Jeff Rogut
Chief Executive Officer
Australasian Association of Convenience Stores
Ph: +61 467 873 789
Media enquiries:
Stephen Naylor
Wise McBaron Communication
Ph: +61 (2) 9279 4770
The Australasian Association of Convenience Stores (AACS) is the peak body for the convenience industry in Australia. In 2015 the AACS celebrates 25 years of representing the interests of these small businesses; their owners, staff, suppliers and customers.
Nationally the convenience industry employs over 40,000 people in over 6,000 stores. The majority of these stores operate as family run businesses, often under licence or franchise agreement. They regularly employ family members and people from the local communities in which they operate.