Australia to ban recreational vaping in major crackdown on e-cigarettes as teen use soars

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The Australian government has announced plans to ban the use of e-cigarettes for recreational purposes as part of a major crackdown on vaping. This move comes as concerns over the rising number of teenagers using e-cigarettes have been raised.

The ban will prohibit the sale, possession and use of e-cigarettes and related products, such as e-liquids, for recreational purposes. The government has cited health concerns as the primary reason for the ban, with studies suggesting that e-cigarettes can lead to long-term health problems, including lung damage.

The decision to ban recreational vaping follows a recent report by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, which found that e-cigarette use among teenagers has increased significantly in recent years. The report showed that 22% of 17-18 year olds in Australia have tried vaping, with 7% using e-cigarettes regularly.

The ban will be implemented as part of the government’s broader strategy to reduce smoking rates across the country. The government is also increasing funding for anti-smoking campaigns, increasing taxes on tobacco products and introducing plain packaging laws for cigarettes.

The move has been met with mixed reactions, with some arguing that e-cigarettes are a useful tool for smokers who are trying to quit, while others argue that the risks of vaping are not yet fully understood.

The ban is expected to come into effect later this year, with penalties for those caught breaking the law yet to be determined.

RE-reported from the story originally published in CNN