MEDIA STATEMENT
For Immediate Release
Date: February 26, 2024
The ALIVE advocacy movement is a collaboration of consumer vaping consumer Advocates from right across Australia.
We are the most active vaping consumer collective who engage with more vaping consumers than any other organisation in Australia.
We are not affiliated with nor funded by any tobacco or vaping company(s).
We are the vaping consumers of Australia!
Today we launched our policy statement.
Since our launch date on May 4 2024, and after much discussion and engagement, for example, see our survey that attracted well over 1000 participants, our policy is clear!
We encourage all influencers and decision-makers of health policy in Australia to adopt this policy as this is the most sensible approach to this issue moving forward.
The full vaping policy statement can be found here:
The A.L.I.V.E. Advocacy Movement urges the Australian Government to take decisive action and adopt evidence-based vaping policies that align with global best practices in tobacco harm reduction. With smoking continuing to be one of the leading causes of preventable death, the government has a critical opportunity to modernize its approach, reduce smoking rates, and save lives.
Vaping is a Public Health Opportunity, Not a Crisis
Australia’s current restrictive approach to vaping is failing. Instead of helping adult smokers quit, it has fueled a black market, made youth access easier, and driven misinformation about harm reduction. In contrast, countries like the UK, New Zealand, and Sweden have successfully reduced smoking rates by embracing regulated access to safer alternatives.
The scientific consensus is clear—vaping is at least 95% less harmful than smoking and is one of the most effective smoking cessation tools available. By continuing to criminalize access for adults, Australia is ignoring public health evidence and worsening the very problem it claims to be solving.
Key Policy Reforms Needed Now:
✅ Regulate, Don’t Prohibit – Enforce strict safety and quality standards for vaping products instead of driving consumers to the black market.
✅ Smart Taxation, Not Punitive Taxes – Lower taxes on vaping products to reflect their reduced harm compared to cigarettes and incentivize smokers to switch.
✅ Legal, Controlled Access for Adults – Establish a regulated retail system to ensure safe, responsible adult access, prevent black-market sales, and protect young people from illegal sources.
✅ Targeted Youth Prevention – Implement robust age verification and strict penalties for retailers selling to minors, rather than banning safer products that help adult smokers quit.
✅ Public Education Based on Science – Launch nationwide fact-based campaigns to combat misinformation and help smokers make informed decisions about harm reduction.
The Failure of the Current Approach
The government’s prohibitionist policies have led to:
❌ A thriving black market with unregulated, unsafe products.
❌ Increased barriers for adult smokers looking for a safer alternative.
❌ A misinformed public, deterring smokers from switching to harm-reduction options.
Countries that have taken progressive harm reduction approaches—such as New Zealand, the UK, and Sweden—have seen record-low smoking rates while preventing a surge in youth vaping. Australia must follow the evidence instead of pursuing policies that punish smokers seeking to quit.
A Call to Action
The Australian Government has a historic opportunity to adopt a modern, science-driven approach to tobacco harm reduction.
It’s time to:
🔹 End prohibition-style policies and embrace sensible regulation.
🔹 Stop spreading misinformation and focus on saving lives.
🔹 Prioritize public health over ideology and follow the evidence on harm reduction.
The time to act is NOW. We must put science and public health first.
📩 For media inquiries, interviews, or further information, please contact:
Pippa Starr - admin@aliveadvocacymovement.com