FEATURE
ustralian policymakers are increasingly coming under fire after their ‘ absurd ’ clampdown on nicotine vaping products put millions of lives at risk .
Harm reduction advocates from across the globe were outraged when officials all but banned the importation of lifesaving quitting tools , all while smoking continued to ravage the nation ’ s health .
New regulations meant more than 500,000 vapers – and 2.3 million smokers – needed a doctor ’ s prescription before they could access reduced risk nicotine vaping products .
But with a lack of willing medical professionals - and a complex importation system – many returned to smoking or were forced into the waiting hands of the black market instead .
Critics said the measures made it easier to access deadly cigarettes , which kill more than 20,000 Australians every year , than their less harmful counterparts .
Adam Metelmann , a vocal advocate and ex-smoker , highlighted that , while the process to purchase nicotine vaping products is ‘ ridiculous ’, cigarettes still remain widely accessible .
He said : “ There are PLENTY of shops that sell cigarettes , in fact they are everywhere you look .
“ Combustible tobacco – even with all the harm it causes – is still readily available … but you ’ ll be strong enough to resist that purchase urge , won ’ t you ?”
Here we compare the steps Aussies must take to import one of the most effective and successful smoking cessation tools to date and the requirements to purchase cigarettes .
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