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Aussie
EXPERTS DEBUNK
YOUTH ‘GATEWAY
EFFECT’
But vape advocates still face
an uphill battle
Words: Gordon Stribling
It can be tough to be a vaper in the current climate. Largely
unfounded health scares have poisoned the public’s perception
of one of the most significant harm reduction initiatives of a
generation.
But while the sneering comments can be frustrating, spare a
thought for our Australian cousins who are forced to endure
some of the most restrictive vape policies in the world. Vaping
as we know it is effectively illegal in Australia, which is somewhat
ironic for a country that is so anti-tobacco.
The only way to legally obtain liquid nicotine in Australia is with
a doctor’s prescription. Aussie vapers rely on imports which are
something of a grey area and very in legality across the various
states.
But now a new evidence review by two Australian scientists may
have debunked one of the most prominent arguments against
vaping: the gateway effect.
You’re probably familiar with the idea: vaping gives you a taste
for nicotine and that leads you to trying combustible tobacco. It’s
today’s equivalent of trying cannabis a few times in your teens
and ending up as a heroin addict on the street.
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