By submitting the form below, you will be sending a strong message of support for the legalisation of nicotine vaping in Australia to your local Victorian MP.

Hit submit to send a message to your local Victorian MP now!

Your Message: <p id="address_line" class="mceNonEditable">Dear MP,</p> <p>Victoria is losing the battle against smoking. </p> <p>Despite plain packaging, record tobacco taxes and countless anti-tobacco advertising campaigns, Australia’s national smoking rate has flatlined.</p> <p>According to the ABS National Health Survey 2017-18, 1 in 7 adults in Victoria are daily smokers – a figure which has dropped a measly 0.2 per cent over the past three years. </p> <p>The UK Royal College of Physicians warned the current ‘do-nothing’ approach will only perpetuate smoking rates and could lead to worse public health outcomes. The latest figures are proof of that.</p> <p>E-cigarettes or vapes are the most effective aids for quitting smoking. Research published in the New England Journal of Medicine confirms they are twice as effective as traditional aids like patches and gum. They deliver nicotine to satisfy smokers’ craving but don’t produce smoke, avoiding the cocktail of carcinogens, including tar. </p> <p>More than 60 scientific studies now show that smoke-free products can help smokers quit, are up to 95 per cent less harmful alternative to traditional cigarettes and have significantly fewer harmful chemicals.</p> <p>The benefits of vaping are widely recognised within the Labour Government in New Zealand. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has said “certainly there are health benefits to [coming off smoking onto vaping]”. </p> <p>In addressing concerns about vaping normalising smoking for young people, Jenny Salesa – the Assistant Health Minister said - “there is still no evidence to suggest vaping is a gateway to cigarette smoking.” This is further backed up by analysis of NZ Government data from the past ten years.</p> <p>Even here at home, progressive think-tank the McKell Institute has published a report recognising the health benefits and cost savings of a sensible harm reduction approach to legalising smoke-free products.</p> <p>So, it makes no make sense that cigarettes remain legal and widely available while less harmful options to encourage smokers to quit are banned. </p> <p>New Zealand and England encourage smokers switch to vaping, but Victorians aren’t even given the opportunity.</p> <p>Around the world, governments are taking a progressive approach to reducing smoking rates by legalising vaping - and they are reaping the benefits. While smoking rates are stagnant in Australia, they are falling in New Zealand, the US, UK, and Japan. </p> <p>Politicians cannot continue to bury their heads in the sand about the benefits of vaping. The Victorian Government has the opportunity to lead the nation with a progressive approach to smoke-free products to give Victorian smokers the best chance to quit. </p> <p>It’s time we catch up to Canada, the US, UK, and New Zealand by legalising and regulating smoke-free alternatives to ensure a healthier future for all. </p> <p>Legalising vaping WILL save the lives of Victorians. It is time for our government to act.</p> <p>Please do the right thing. Legalise vaping in Victoria and help more smokers quit for good.</p> <p id="sign_off" class="mceNonEditable">Yours sincerely,</p>

I agree to receive further information regarding the Legalise Vaping campaign

Send!