By Holly McGuinness
An overhaul of the regulation of vaping and e-cigarettes is being called for as the health impacts and availability to youths becomes increasingly concerning.
Brimbank councillor Virginia Tachos has called on council to write to Health Minister Mary-Anne Thomas to assess e-cigarette availability and asked for a prevention campaign on the products.
“There are significant health risks to nicotine exposure and other chemicals used in e-cigarettes. Things like uncontrolled vomiting, scarring of the lungs, cancer and damage to the brain,” she said.
Council is concerned by the growing number of young people sourcing and using e-cigarettes, with a survey by Resilient Youth Australia in Brimbank earlier this year rationalising concerns.
The survey found that among students in year 12, 20 per cent of girls and 18 per cent of boys use e-cigarettes.
Of students surveyed in year 7, 5 per cent have used e-cigarettes and this number increases each year level above.
Brimbank Mayor Jasmine Nguyen said: “While laws prevent the sale of e-cigarettes to young people, there is a growing unregulated market. Brimbank council is very concerned by the growing number of young people in our community taking up vaping”.
