Sada-e-Watan
Sydney ™
sadaewatan@gmail.com
Hon. Shaoquett Moselmane’s Speech about Public Health Tobacco Amendment E Cigarettes Bill 2015
The Hon. SHAOQUETT MOSELMANE [4.03 p.m.]: I speak in debate on the Public Health (Tobacco) Amendment (E-cigarettes) Bill 2015 which has as its object is to amend the Public Health (Tobacco) Act 2008 to prohibit the sale of cigarettes and e-cigarette accessories to persons under the age of 18 years. E-cigarettes are rapidly gaining popularity amongst those in the community who choose to smoke but it is still a matter of conjecture as to whether these battery-powered vaporisers do more harm than good. Some argue that the cigarettes are a good alternative to smoking cigarettes as no smoke is being inhaled into the body or the lungs and mouth; rather, users are inhaling a vapour and are not introducing tar into their systems. Others argue that e-cigarettes normalise the concept and feeling of smoking and will encourage more people to smoke.
Restricting the sale of e-cigarettes to
minors is a no-brainer. Indeed, there is no valid reason why minors should be
allowed to smoke vaporisers if there is even the slightest chance—and I say
there is—that it could lead to fully blown cigarette usage down the track. This
bill does not go far enough. The Labor Opposition advocates that a stronger
legislative framework is needed to protect the community. As well as a ban on
the sale of e-cigarettes to minors, Labor wants to restrict the use of
vaporisers and e-cigarettes in enclosed spaces in restaurants, bars and hotels,
at bus stops, on public transport and in other non-smoking areas, and to bring
the places where e-cigarettes can be used in line with current laws for
cigarettes, cigars and argilleh—the hubble-bubble pipe. Currently proprietors
of premises of bars and hotels decide whether vaporising is permitted on their
premises on a case-by-case basis. The amendments foreshadowed by Labor will
create uniformity across the State and bring surety to non-smokers as to where
people can use cigarettes or vaporisers.
Labor is also arguing for
restrictions on the advertising, promoting and display of e-cigarettes at
retail outlets, similar to cigarettes and tobacco products being kept out of
sight at supermarkets, service stations, newsagents and other similar retail
outlets. Currently vaporisers can be found on the counter of any convenience
store in plain view of children and minors. I take this opportunity to inform
the House that one of my staff members recently purchased the e-cigarette I am
holding for $3. It was not covered or hidden and it was available for purchase
by children and minors. For obvious reasons Labor does not want to promote
smoking, particularly by children and minors.
This bill is too weak. It
is not strong enough to meet the expectations of members of the public who
understandably are conscious of their health and the risks associated with
smoking. The main game is to reduce the number of smoking-related deaths and
illnesses. Banning the sale of e-cigarettes to minors simply does not go far
enough. Whilst smoking an e-cigarette may not have the same detrimental effect
as smoking generally, the risk of normalising the act of smoking, particularly
to impressionable teenagers and adolescents, is sufficient for Labor to act.
Each year smoking accounts for around 5,200 deaths and 44,000 hospitalisations.
It is the leading cause of preventable disease and death in New South Wales and
the Baird Government should be doing all that it can to curb this. Labor has a
much more comprehensive plan. Indeed, the Heart Foundation has endorsed the
bill but has asked the Government and the Minister for Health to do more.
E-cigarettes are made in sweet and fruity flavours, which appeal to the
younger demographic. I am reminded of the chocolate made to look like a
cigarette, which has now been banned. However, the same marketing concept
exists with e-cigarettes. Statistics reveal that 7.5 per cent of children in
New South Wales smoke—that is 7.5 per cent too many. We can do much better than
that. It is terrible to see children and minors smoking at bus stops, train
stations or outside shopping centres.
Not only is it bad for their
health, and the health of all those around them through passive smoking; it
also gives a perception of criminality, just like graffiti. This affects local
economies by scaring off potential patrons. While the long-term health risks
associated with e-cigarettes are yet to be determined, the biggest risk
associated with them is as an entry point to cigarette smoking. With 5,200
deaths and 44,000 smoking-related hospitalisations per year, we as legislators
must continue to be vigilant in protecting the community from the dangers of
smoking. As my colleague the Hon. Walt Secord stated earlier in debate, the
Opposition does not oppose the bill but does propose amendments to strengthen
the legislation and bring the use and sale of e-cigarettes into line with
current smoking laws.
The Hon. Shaoquett Moselmane MLC.
Opposition Whip
Parliament of New South Wales
Parliament House
Macquarie St, Sydney NSW 2000 Australia
Ph: (02 9230 2526 || Fx: 02 9230
2722
