A few weeks ago, the New Zealand government chose to allow the sale of nicotine e-cigarettes as a consumer product. There is evidence for the safety and effectiveness of nicotine e-cigarettes in helping to fight smoking and some Australian experts say the country should make similar changes.
THE IMPACT OF THE NEW ZEALAND GOVERNMENT'S DECISION.
New Zealand officials believe nicotine e-cigarettes can help smokers quit smoking and could significantly reduce smoking-related illnesses. However, in Australia, it is illegal to sell, possess, or consume nicotine without permission or a prescription. Nicotine is classified as a "dangerous poison" in Schedule 7 of the National Register of Drug and Poison Standards.
While New Zealand has chosen to reverse its decision by legalizing the sale of nicotine for e-cigarettes, in Australia, some health professionals like Colin Mendelsohn (Professor and specialist in smoking cessation treatments in a public health school) has many questions. Why is nicotine considered a danger? How can we miss such a useful tool to fight against smoking?
Clearly, the New Zealand government's decision has had repercussions, and Australian neighbors no longer fully understand why this nicotine ban policy continues.
POISON NICOTINE? AN HISTORICAL ANOMALY!
Is Nicotine Bad? The classification of nicotine as a "dangerous poison" is a historical anomaly and was established before the emergence of e-cigarettes. Although it is the main addictive chemical in tobacco, we now know that nicotine has relatively minor health effects except during pregnancy. it is not carcinogenic, does not cause respiratory disease and has minor cardiovascular effects. Recent research has shown that the dreaded reputation of nicotine as a deadly poison has been greatly exaggerated. The risk of poisoning by ingesting nicotine e-liquids remains similar to that of other potentially toxic household substances.
Paradoxically, current Australian laws prohibit a less harmful form of nicotine consumption (electronic cigarettes) while allowing the sale of the most lethal form of nicotine (tobacco cigarettes).
FOLLOW THE NEW ZEALAND EXAMPLE TO REDUCE THE HARM OF TOBACCO
In Australia, despite common sense, the introduction of harm reduction strategies has always faced relentless hostility. The resistance to e-cigarettes unfortunately seems to follow the same inexorable pattern. The federal governments and health organizations in Australia have followed a prohibitionist course that characterizes the risks of nicotine and e-cigarettes without considering their many health benefits.
Moreover, some Australian scientists recommend following the New Zealand example by exempting " low levels of nicotine in e-cigarettes »Of annex 7 of the national register of standards on drugs and poisons. This would transfer the regulation of e-cigarettes to " the Australian Consumer and Competition Commission ”And would allow it to be governed by the consumer code.
With proper controls, the high availability of nicotine-containing e-cigarettes has the potential to save the lives of hundreds of thousands of Australian smokers.
