This kills the TPD

[Pepperty]

I knew that USA had draconian vaping laws but up until recently I hadn't been aware of Australia's issues -- mostly because the ideal didn't fit in with my expectation of laid back Aussie life, I'm still a bit shocked over it! thanks for bringing it to our attention

[DaveJ]

hehe - laid back Aussie life?

I'm not so sure that old stereotype is quite so universal now days. We have our share of those with health problems, people who struggle to find work and many have difficulties making ends meet - just like the rest of the world. I don't think we have any special exemptions from daily stresses and worry.

But, perhaps, that laid back approach in the past has allowed the original Anti-Smoking brigade to get started - way back in the 60 & 70 and typified by the "bugaup" stuff (linky where our Simon Chapman got his start). The ANTZ certainly have been very successful in convincing nearly everybody that smoking is bad. Oz smoking rates are pretty low by Western World standards (I think lower than 15 %) so the number hurt by the ANTZ idealogy is fairly small - and those hurt are, often, already brainwashed into believing that they are bad people for smoking.

But there may be light - there are some things happening, although I'm not about to do away with my vapergedden stash anytime soon. Our NNA have submitted to our TGA (Theraputic Goods Administration - who, amongst other things, control everything that makes medical claims) to declassify lowish strength nic juice from the banned list - but even that is subject to much speculation and disagreement since they've had to keep their submission details quiet and away from prying eyes. There is a fear amongst some that the result might see nic and vaping medicalised - that is, only available from pharmacies or via Doctor's script.

But what is really sad to me and many others is the potential new convert from smoking. Often older who likely are somewhat afraid of ordering stuff thro the internet (if they even have access to a computer). The confusing maze needed to establish vaping supplies simply scares and confuses them. More often than not they'll either keep smoking or they'll rely on some kind helper to do all their ordering and setup for them. There are many in that situation and, for the most part, they are fated to continue smoking till they die whilst all the political types continue to argue nonsense about "we don't know what's in them" and "re-normalising smoking".


**But, damn, you guys in England really did some top work with that Public Health England report. Just the one 95% lower than smoking summary was dynamite. You guys have no idea just how much that is getting quoted by many folk (like me) who have written submissions to politicians and public inquiries and such.