Following the Federal Government’s forced admission of failure over its own vaping Bill – and amid Labor’s chaotic attempt to make policy-on-the-run – the Australian Association of Convenience Stores (AACS) has welcomed the Coalition’s strong stance to strictly regulate vaping to crack down on crime and keep dangerous and toxic illicit vapes out of the hands of Australian children.
AACS CEO Theo Foukkare said the Coalition’s announcement that it would adopt a similar, strictly regulated model to other Western Countries is exactly what the majority of concerned Australian voters want, as the nation grapples with an insidious and out-of-control black-market that is behind the country’s youth vaping crisis.
“The Coalition’s commitment to adopt a strictly regulated licensed retail framework for the sale of vapes – in the same way that tobacco and alcohol sales are managed – follows best practice models that are already established in other comparable countries, which have been proven to reduce youth vaping rates,” Mr Foukkare said.
“In addition, the commitment of $250 million for a law enforcement package is greatly welcomed to address the out-of-control black market in Australia, “Over the past two days, it has become clear to all Australians that the Federal Government is more interested in winning a vote in the Senate, than in implementing tough laws that will actually wipe out the black market and reduce the rapidly growing youth vaping crisis,” he said.
Mr Foukkare said AACS members had long been advocating for the model adopted by the Coalition, while the Labor Government continued to bury its head in the sand.
“The Coalition’s announcement today demonstrates the strong leadership needed to fix Australia’s black market vaping crisis, in stark contrast to the dysfunctional policy development pursued by the Labor Party,” Mr Foukkare said.
Theo Foukkare is available for interview on 0423 003 133
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