Most Australians want electronic cigarettes legalized, according to the results of a recent survey, but the Government and anti-smoking advocates claim the devices might pose health risks, according to a story by Callum Godde for news.com.au.
The Australian Retail Association (ARA) poll, conducted by the Crosby Textor Group, shows 61 percent of 1,200 adults backed a move towards legalizing e-cigarettes or vaporisers.
ARA executive director Russell Zimmerman called on the federal Government to follow the lead of the US, UK, Canada and New Zealand by opening the market.
“More and more Australians are buying personal vaporisers with nicotine online from overseas, simply because they can’t buy them locally,” Mr Zimmerman said in a statement yesterday.
“The government needs to act so that responsible local retailers can compete on a level playing field and sell less harmful products for Australians trying to change their habits.”
Godde said the Cancer Council was ‘sceptical of the survey,’ suggesting the ARA results were ‘motivated by self-interest’.
The Council apparently urged power brokers not to be swayed by lobbyists.
“Public health policy decisions aren’t based on opinion polls,” tobacco issues committee chair Paul Grogan told AAP in a statement.
“Cancer Council supports the National Health and Medical Research Council’s ongoing independent review of the risks and potential benefits of e-cigarettes and the Therapeutic Goods Administration’s role in independently assessing any therapeutic benefit.”
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