The AMA has made a united stand with the RACGP and the Pharmacy Guild of Australia in supporting the federal government’s vaping reforms.
The AMA, the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) and the Pharmacy Guild of Australia joined forces this week to urge all MPs and Senators to pass the federal government’s vaping reform.
In Brisbane on Wednesday, AMA Vice President Dr Danielle McMullen appeared at a press conference with Health Minister Mark Butler and the Australian Border Force, as well as RACGP President Dr Nicole Higgins and Pharmacy Guild President Professor Trent Twomey, to highlight the importance of the vaping legislation.
Dr McMullen said she has seen many teenagers in her clinic grappling with nicotine addiction.
“We have an opportunity now to protect the next generation of Australians, and I urge everyone to get behind this vaping reform and make sure we get vapes out of the hands of kids and protect the next generation of Australians,” Dr McMullen said.
Mr Butler welcomed the support of the AMA, RACGP and the Pharmacy Guild.
“I am delighted that those three key organisations that represent the frontline in this fight for better health are getting behind out government’s reforms to stamp out the scourge of vaping,” Mr Butler said.
The AMA was also one of 58 leading health organisations to sign the Australian Council on Smoking and Health’s open letter published in The Australian on Thursday, calling for legislators to be on the right side of history and support the vaping bill.
AMA President Professor Steve Robson said “Australia has woken up to the grave dangers of vaping, and it is high time reforms are implemented to protect children and young Australians from the dirty tricks used by the big tobacco and pro-vaping lobbies”.
