E-cigarettes to be treated same as tobacco under new Queensland legislation

Amy Remeikis
September 9, 2014
Queensland state political reporter
E-cigarettes will be treated the same as tobacco and other smoking products in Queensland, under new legislation to be introduced in parliament on Tuesday.
E-cigarettes, some of which use liquid nicotine – a substance already banned in the state – produce a vapour instead of smoke, which has been marketed as a more attractive option to smokers attempting to quit.
E-cigarettes have also been exempt from laws which applied to traditional smoking products.
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But Health Minister Lawrence Springborg said under the new legislation that would change.
The products would not be banned, but if you could not smoke in a particular area, you would not be able to e-cigarette either.
“These new laws will ensure that e-cigarettes are not sold to children, not smoked in smoke-free indoor and outdoor public places, and not advertised, promoted or displayed at retail outlets,” Mr Springborg said.
“This early, preventative action addresses public health concerns about these products, including their use in smoke-free places, the unknown health effects of use and exposure and potential for a new market of smoking.”
Mr Springborg said Queensland would become the first Australian state to treat e-cigarettes the same as traditional tobacco.
He cited a World Health Organisation report from August this year which found there was “sufficient evidence” to warn ‘children, adolescents and pregnant women’ not to use them.
Mr Springborg also questioned the devices’ use as a quit-aid, saying “to date, the evidence for [their] effectiveness…is limited”.
Queensland Health environmental health officers will primarily enforce the new laws and have the power to issue on-the-spot $220 fines. Penalties to retailers will also apply.
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