Vaping

The Hon. S.L. GAME (15:16): I seek leave to make a brief explanation prior to addressing a question to the Attorney-General, representing the Minister for Health and Wellbeing, on vaping.

Leave granted.

The Hon. S.L. GAME: Data from the South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute in 2020 shows that 13.5 per cent of South Australians still smoke—that is over 200,000 South Australians. Data obtained from the Australian Bureau of Statistics shows that the proportion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults who smoke daily in South Australia is sitting at 40.4 per cent. Regulated nicotine vaping products have been proven to be effective quitting aids but access for adult smokers is severely restricted here. This is different from the black market vapes of unknown constitution which are readily available.

We are witnessing stagnating smoking rates despite strict tobacco control laws and the highest cigarette prices in the world. Smoking is a primary cause of health and financial inequalities in South Australia, with those from low socio-economic backgrounds smoking at higher rates and more heavily.

Young people are accessing unregulated black market vaping products at an alarming rate but, at the same time, adult smokers are unable to easily access these regulated vaping products to help them quit smoking. We are the only Western country that uses a prescription-based model for nicotine vaping. New Zealand, for example, legalised regulated nicotine vaping as a consumer product to help smokers quit and has enjoyed record declines in smoking rates while effectively restricting access by young people. My questions to the minister are:

1. Why are these products, which can help smokers live longer and healthier lives, being restricted from the adult smokers who need them most?

2. Why is the health department not encouraging smokers to switch to vaping which is a far less harmful alternative to smoking and is a more effective quitting aid than nicotine replacement therapies?

The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Attorney-General, Minister for Industrial Relations and Public Sector) (15:18): I thank the honourable member for her question. She mentioned that smoking rates in Aboriginal communities are significantly higher than in non-Aboriginal communities, and is one small but significant factor in some of the disparity we see in health outcomes between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people.

In relation to her questions on vaping and the regime that applies in South Australia, I will refer that to my colleague in another place, the health minister, who I am sure will be able to provide an answer that talks about the science and the evidence of the regime. As the honourable member pointed out, it is a reasonably consistent regime around Australia, from what I understand. In my experience, the health department often looks at the best available scientific evidence about health outcomes in forming the policy that is put forward, but I will refer those to my colleague in another place and bring back a reply.