A recent study by medical research institute QIMR Berghofer reveals that banning vaping in Australia could lead to an alarming proportion of vapers turning to traditional smoking, putting additional pressure on Australia's healthcare system. This transition from vaping to tobacco among 13% of vapers who had never smoked before could cost Australia more than $180 million extra per year, due to increased treatments for respiratory, cardiovascular and other diseases. cancers.
The study shows that some e-cigarettes, containing poisons, heavy metals like nickel and chromium, as well as chemical byproducts like formaldehyde and acetone, have seen a dramatic increase in popularity, with around a million of Australians already using them. The harmful effects of vaping, including addiction, poisoning, acute nicotine toxicity, burns and lung damage, are increasingly documented.
If people who can no longer purchase vapes due to the new ban choose to switch to cigarettes without seeking to quit smoking, this would increase the risk of long-term illnesses. Professor Louisa Gordon, researcher at QIMR Berghofer, points out that the already strained healthcare system could deteriorate further, with an increase in the number of people suffering from smoking-induced illnesses and addictions following this transition from vaping to cigarettes .
Additional costs to Australia's health system could include almost $37 million more for lung cancer and almost $54 million for lower respiratory infections each year. Currently, lower respiratory infections already cost Australia $1,5 billion a year.
The Lung Foundation of Australia, through its Managing Director of Policy, Advocacy and Prevention, Paige Preston, collaborated on this research and supports government action to prevent and reduce the use of vapes. It calls for priority implementation and enforcement of reforms in all jurisdictions, as well as improved education efforts and an empathetic approach to helping people overcome vaping and nicotine addiction without stigmatization.
However, because vaping is a relatively new product, the harmful effects of its use are not fully understood, and there is little evidence regarding chronic health conditions resulting from vaping. The study says further research is needed to assess the true burden of e-cigarette use on individual health and its impact on the Australian health sector and national economy.
Photo Credit: NCA NewsWire / Nicki Connolly
