Red Curb: No stopping, standing or parking at any time Search Search? search icon Created with Sketch.He claims "vape shops are deliberately setting up down the road from schools", adding it was in the interest of tobacco companies that his legislation not pass. Mr Butler told ABC Investigations that he hoped the government's vaping reforms could become bipartisan policy. Mr Dutton argued it wouldn't reduce the black market trade and Australia should "treat it the same as tobacco". Last week, Coalition leader Peter Dutton confirmed he would support lifting existing restrictions on vaping introduced this year. "Regulating vaping products the same as cigarettes, we believe, will protect children and reduce the number of next generation of users." The Nationals want vaping to be regulated in the same way as tobacco. "The Nationals' proposed position to increase vaping regulations is about trying to achieve exactly that, making it harder for them to survive." "I have made it clear to the tobacco industry that I want to see them out of business, but accept they are a legal product," he told the ABC. National leader David Littleproud said the donations were "a matter for the federal director". Do you know more?Ĭontact Michael Workman on or Kevin Nguyen on use this form to get in contact with the ABC Investigations team, or if you require more secure communication, please choose an option on the confidential tips page. The Nationals have been on record opposing the ban on vapes for nearly a year. The Guardian reported this was the first time British American Tobacco has donated to an Australian political party since 2011. This includes $75,000 from Philip Morris Limited and $55,000 from British American Tobacco Australia Ltd. The tobacco industry has been making significant political donations in Australia.ĭisclosure records from the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) show the National Party received $130,000 in donations from tobacco companies last financial year. These concerns have been raised ahead of tomorrow's parliamentary session when the Albanese government's legislation to make it illegal to advertise or sell non-therapeutic vapes in Australia is introduced. This includes e-cigarettes and as a signatory of the FCTC, Australia has determined there is "no safe level of tobacco consumption". ![]() The document stipulates policymakers should not engage with "commercial and other vested interests of the tobacco industry" outside of "what is necessary for public officials or agencies to enact effective tobacco control measures". ![]() In 2021, the ABC found ATHRA was unable to explain how metadata linked to a global public relations firm with ties to campaigns funded by tobacco, e-cigarette, and vaping interests ended up on its website.Ī letter obtained by ABC Investigations showed that last week, Health Minister Mark Butler wrote to members of parliament to remind them of their "legal obligations" as public officials to "take steps to protect its tobacco-control policy settings and implementation from interference from the tobacco industry and its interests".Īttached to the letter was a document detailing how Australia was a long-time signatory to the World Health Organisation (WHO) Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC). It received 29,000 signatures.īusiness records show a director and founder of both ATHRA and ASACA is Alex Wodak, a doctor and harm minimisation advocate who has been a leading figure in the global pro-vaping movement. None of ATHRA's testimonials carry such a disclosure.Īfter ABC Investigations raised Mr Kirk's image with Getty, the parent company of iStock, the photo was forwarded to the service's legal team for review.ĪTHRA's posts, all uploaded in late February and into the first week of March, followed the same format: a stock image, a pro-vaping quote from supposed former smokers, and a link to a website for the group Australian Smoking Alternatives Consumer Association (ASACA).ĪSACA's website features a link to a federal petition that called for the government to unwind its March 1 ban. ![]() IStock's licensing agreement prohibits a person's image from being used in content that is defamatory or "unduly controversial" without an explicit disclosure that the model in the photo is being used for illustrative purposes only.
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