Breakthrough the confusion with tabuu

Just over 1 in 10 Australians continue to smoke despite the known health risks, and nearly 70% of those adult smokers have tried to quit or change behaviour, but failed. Additionally, around 1.7 million Australian adults now vape. Alarmingly, the majority of this product is obtained through unregulated and illegal channels with no control on how products are manufactured or what ingredients are included. Various treatments and therapies are available to help you quit smoking or manage nicotine dependency.

Nicotine replacement therapies and prescription medications are first-line treatments approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). In October 2021, the TGA regulated Nicotine Vaping Products as a second-line treatment for the 70% of Australians who had previously tried and failed to quit. Access is controlled through medical supervision to prevent use by youth and non-users, as these products are not risk-free. Nicotine Vaping Products are second-line because the TGA has not fully assessed their safety, quality, and efficacy, although they must meet minimum standards, unlike illicit market products.

In October 2021, only nicotine-containing vaping products were regulated for therapeutic use. Unfortunately, some overseas suppliers falsely labeled their products as non-nicotine, allowing them to be sold in retail outlets. Since nicotine is only detectable through lab testing, enforcement became challenging due to widespread availability. The Government has now proposed to include all nicotine and non-nicotine products. This means that unless you’re purchasing from an Australian pharmacy, it is illegal. Buying from other sources increases risks due to unknown quality and ingredients.

Nicotine, whilst addictive and not risk free, is not the primary cause of smoking related diseases. It is thousands of chemicals that are created when you set on fire organic tobacco and breathe in the smoke and solid particles. Nicotine is the same active ingredient that is used in traditional therapies such as patches and gums, the difference is the way it is delivered.

Nicotine Vaping Products do not produce smoke, they emit an aerosol that is at least 95% reduced harm than continued smoking. This is only the case if you know what ingredients are in your E-liquid. If you don’t smoke or currently have a nicotine dependency, you shouldn’t start, as this will increase the risk to your health. If you do smoke, have tried to quit before and failed or, are currently managing a nicotine dependence Nicotine Vaping maybe a suitable treatment

Vaping is a category of products and just like any other category, some products are high quality whilst others are low. An example of why this is important is vaping related illnesses. These illnesses have been linked to specific ingredients such as Diacetyl and Vitamin E acetate. For legal products found in Australian pharmacies, these ingredients are banned. Aside from being illegal, products found outside Australian pharmacies have been found to be mislabeled and include these prohibited ingredients. These products are a risk and in fact, could be doing you more harm.

An independent study by one of the world's leading researchers Cochrane found that Nicotine Vaping Products are 2.3 times more effective than traditional Nicotine Replacement Therapies such as patches, gums and lozenges. Another study by Cochrane showed that Nicotine Vaping Products were as effective as the leading quit smoking medicine Varenicline (Champix) with less serious side effects.

Nicotine Vaping can be more effective to help you quit than traditional therapies due to the way nicotine is absorbed into the body. When you inhale smoke from a cigarette, nicotine is absorbed rapidly through the lungs. Other therapies, such as patches and gums must be absorbed through the skin taking up to 30 mins. As Nicotine Vaping Products are inhaled, the absorption time is much closer to a cigarette which can assist to satisfy cravings better.

There are also behavioural and social settings that Nicotine Vaping Products can assist with. The hand to mouth action which is similar to a cigarette. The morning coffee as you start your day. A social setting with friends in a smoking area. Putting on a patch or chewing gum is unlikely to provide you the same experience. Nicotine vaping products can replace a cigarette and allow you to still experience that moment.

Nicotine Vaping has only been around approximately 20 years. Therefore, the long term risks are still unknown. What is known today is that Nicotine Vaping, when containing no prohibited ingredients, produces on average 95% less harm compared to cigarette smoke. Furthermore, they are one of the most effective ways to quit cigarettes. Nicotine Vaping is not risk free and should only be considered by people that have tried to quit with approved therapies previously or, are currently managing a nicotine dependance.