In the framework of an event organized at the Italian Senate, CoEHAR presented the testimonies of two leading experts in the medical and legal fields regarding the adoption of the harm reduction principles and strategies, with a focus on Australia and New Zealand tobacco approach.
On Tuesday, June 25, a group of experts from CoEHAR delivered the final draft of document prepared by young researchers, experts and PHD students of the University of Catania regarding proposals to achieve the target of a smoke-free generation.
In this prestigious setting, CoEHAR had the opportunity to present the latest results of its intense research activities. The Italian research center is today recognized as one of the most prolific and authoritative center in the field of the research applied to harm reduction strategies. In this context, two leading experts in the medical and legal fields presented an overview of the international situation regarding the policies for combustion-free products, with a particular focus on Australia and New Zealand.
The speakers were Dr. Colin Mendelsohn, Australia, and Prof. David Sweanor from the University of Ottawa, Canada.
Dr. Colin Mendelsohn, an Australian clinician and academic with over 40 years of experience in the field of harm reduction and Founding Chairman of the Australian Tobacco Harm Reduction Association, addressed the numerous attendees at the Caduti di Nassirya hall, in the Senate, about the differences in regulatory approaches to tobacco and combustion-free devices between two geographically and demographically similar countries, Australia and New Zealand.
“Our two countries, have very similar culture, demographics and tobacco control laws, but have taken a very different approach to regulating vaping products and there are important lessons that we can learn from the outcomes”.
On one side, Australia, where vaping products can only be purchased with a medical prescription at authorized pharmacies and where the black market phenomenon has created an unstable situation, with repercussions on stores selling vaping products. Measures initially adopted to counter the increase in youth vaping have instead resulted in a rise precisely due to Australian policies.
“7% of Australian adults vape and 90% of these have rejected the legal pathway and purchase products from the black market” explains Dr. Mendelsohn.
On the other hand, New Zealand, a country that regulated vaping as a product for adult use in 2020, making it available on the market in different flavors, but at the same time banning disposable products and advertising.
“In New Zealand, there’s no significant black market. The Ministry of Health encourages vaping as a quitting aid and educates the public and health professionals. New Zealand has historically had higher smoking rates in Australia, but, daily smoking has halved over the last five years. It’s now 6.8% of adults”.
The second testimony was that of Prof. David Sweanor, who is an adjunct professor of law and Chair of the Advisory Committee of the Centre for Health Law, Policy and Ethics at the University of Ottawa.
He has worked on tax policy, contraband tobacco, litigation strategies, risk communication and the provision of less hazardous alternatives to existing products.
“THR strategies are moving people from deadly combustion-based cigarettes to low-risk products, products that don’t require people inhaling the cigarette smoke. We know this is important because we’ve known for decades that people smoke to get nicotine, but they die because of the inhalation of smoke. And we now have a range of products that could replace cigarettes and give us the potential for one of the greatest public health breakthroughs in human history. We have this ability because consumers want to move, and we’re seeing this globally”.
Sweden, Norway, Iceland, New Zealand and Japan are countries where the adoption of low risk products led to a substantial decrease in cigarettes sales or tobacco-related diseases.
“New Zealand, with an emphasis on vaping products, has seen cigarette smoking decline more rapidly than we’ve ever seen before. This can be done even in the United States, which has put impediments in the way of alternatives. In just five years, smoking Coke-free products have gone from 20% of the nicotine market to 40%, and cigarette sales are falling at the greatest sustained level the country has ever seen. We can do this. What we need is risk-proportionate regulation So the more hazardous products have more onerous regulation.
And what can happen in Italy is the same as what’s happening in other countries. And we can see much more. We have the ability to get a major public health breakthrough by focusing on substitution. We can do this” concluded prof. Sweanor.
To watch the full interview, use the link below.
