Public Accounts and Estimates Committee

Inquiry into vaping and tobacco controls

Introduction
Submissions
Hearings
Reports

Report Tabled

Under s 33(3) of the Parliamentary Committees Act 2003 (Vic) the Committee inquire into, consider and report by no later than 30 November 2024 on the 2022-23 Annual Reports of the Department of Health and VicHealth regarding Victorian tobacco and e-cigarette controls, including:

  1. Trends in vaping and tobacco use and the associated financial, health, social and environmental impacts on the Victorian community
  2. The causes and repercussions of the illicit tobacco and e-cigarette industry in Victoria including impacts on the Victorian justice system, and effective control options
  3. The adequacy of the State and Commonwealth legislation, regulatory and administrative frameworks to minimise tobacco and e-cigarette harm experienced in the community and control illicit trade compared to other Australian and international jurisdictions
  4. The effectiveness of current public health measures to prevent and reduce the harm of tobacco use and vaping in Victoria and potential reforms
  5. Any other related matters.

Report presented to Parliament

Tobacco smoking is the leading preventable cause of death and disease in Victoria, and a key driver of social inequalities in health. This harm has been exacerbated by the growth of the illicit tobacco and vape markets and recent uptake of vaping by vulnerable groups including young people. At its centrepiece, the Committee recommends the establishment of a Victorian nicotine licencing scheme and active regulatory authority sitting within the Department of Justice and Community Safety.

Tabled in Parliament on the 29 August 2024, the report makes 47 findings and 27 recommendations. The Committee recommends the development of nicotine cessation support in schools, compulsory tobacco and vaping education in primary schools, support for new public health campaigns and increased enforcement powers for authorities.

To discover more, please check out the report.

View final report

  • Who is vaping and smoking?

    Official data on vaping and smoking amongst children aged under 14 does not exist. This is particularly concerning given the increase in vaping amongst young children.

    North-Western Melbourne has both the highest rates of vaping in Victoria and amongst the highest percentage of metropolitan smokers. Central Goldfields Shire has the highest proportion of daily smokers in the state.

    Report recommendation:

    The Department of Education commit to making tobacco and vaping education programs compulsory curriculum at the primary school level and supply schools with resources to implement them, aligned with current drug and alcohol education curriculum commitments.


    Read all recommendations

  • How do nicotine products harm Victorians?

    Every year smoking costs the Victorian community 4,000 lives and $5 billion.
    The overall value of the tobacco market in Victoria is estimated to be $6 billion.

    There is no scientific evidence to show that vaping is healthier than smoking.

    Report recommendation:

    The Victorian Government consider whether current targets are sufficient and where they are not, set more ambitious, comprehensive and segmented targets on the proportion of Victorians that smoke, vape and consume other nicotine products daily for the state public health and wellbeing plan.

    Read all recommendations

  • Are smoking and vaping rules being enforced?

    The Department of Health and local councils in Victoria are not currently taking enforcement action against the sale of illicit vapes and tobacco for several reasons. These include deficiencies in the current legislation, safety concerns and lack of resources.

    “Some shops we have raided are metropolitan and suburban shops where we are seeing a million dollars turned over - just a little shop out in the suburbs” - Detective Superintendent Jason Kelly

    Report recommendation:

    Establish a Victorian nicotine licensing scheme and active regulatory authority and current penalties regarding the illicit tobacco and e-cigarette trade with a view to increasing them.

    Read all recommendations

Snapshot of inquiry

The Public Accounts and Estimates Committee evaluated the effectiveness of efforts to prevent and reduce the harm of tobacco use and vaping. The inquiry investigated the associated financial, health, social and environmental effects of tobacco and e-cigarette use on the wider community.

The Committee tabled the final report on 29 August.

Its final public hearing was held on 15 July. It heard from a wide range of stakeholders including tobacco companies, academics, criminologists, students and health experts. You can read the full record of that hearing using the below link.

View hearings

Tobacco licensing recommended

Latest shorts

Key agencies at hearing on vaping and tobacco controls

The parliamentary inquiry into vaping and tobacco controls heard from a range of policing, customs, justice and health authorities at a hearing

Latest News

 

 

Vapes adding to a mounting e-waste problem

Vapes adding to a mounting e-waste problem

Electronic waste contained in e-cigarettes is creating an increasing environmental problem for Victoria, a parliamentary committee has heard.

Young Victorians key to vaping and tobacco reform

Young Victorians key to vaping and tobacco reform

The lived experiences and views of young Victorians will be vital to a new parliamentary inquiry looking at vaping and tobacco controls in Victoria.

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Contact us

Email

vapingtobacco.inquiry@parliament.vic.gov.au

 

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Parliament of Victoria
Public Accounts and Estimates Committee
Parliament House, Spring Street
EAST MELBOURNE VIC 3002

Telephone

03 8682 2867