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Anthony Albanese has criticized cigarette smoking and vaping as “disgusting” and has admitted he has never participated in either habit.
New legislation introduced on January 1 bans the sale of nicotine vaporizers in specialist retailers and convenience stores, meaning those who want to get one will need a prescription from their GP to buy it from a pharmacy.
Mr. Albanese appeared in ABC Radio BrisbaneWednesday afternoon program, and it was They asked him if he had ever smoked a cigarette or vaped when he was younger.
Anthony Albanese has branded vaping a “disgusting habit” (file image)
“No, actually I haven’t, and I find it a disgusting habit,” Mr Albanese responded.
‘When I was young, I was never attracted to that.
‘But of course a lot of my friends (did it).
‘When I was at school, it was quite common for you to try to smoke cigarettes.
‘But it’s gone out of fashion and that’s a good thing. And it is worrying that this new element has appeared.”
Albanese said vaping was an issue raised with him across the country, including a visit to northern New South Wales earlier that day, and he was told that most young people considered vaping to be “pretty neutral and fine.”
However, he said expert medical opinion was that vaping was bad for the lungs in the same way cigarettes are and he was baffled as to why “a “Many young people seem to be adopting this new habit.”
“My gut told me it can’t be good for you to put something fake in your lungs,” Albanese said.
“The way some of these vaporizers are marketed to kids, basically, descriptions, things that appeal to very young people, bright colors and cartoons and things like that, is a real indication of who it’s aimed at.
“It’s increasingly being brought up by teachers, parents and even kids themselves, saying, ‘You know, all my friends are into this vaping thing and how can we do something about it?’
Illegal vaporizer manufacturers and suppliers could face up to seven years in prison and fines of up to $2.2 million under a new wave of anti-vaping laws introduced by the federal government in March.
The government also launched a $250,000 partnership with Spotify, social media influencers and sports stars as part of its anti-vaping program targeting young Australians.
Albanese admitted that some have retailers and private citizens have found ways to circumvent the law.
“There is already a black market and we are taking drastic measures against it,” he said.
Anthony Albanese told ABC Radio Brisbane he had never smoked a cigarette or vaped.
The Prime Minister expressed concern about how vaping is being marketed as appealing to young Australians (file image)
Albanese’s strict stance on vaping sparked a divided response.
‘There goes the Generation Z vote!’ one joked.
Others didn’t care what the Prime Minister thought.
“I love a good vape and will continue whether it’s legal or not,” said one.
Another added: “Maybe no one cares if you’ve ever smoked or not?”
The Prime Minister has vowed to crack down on Australia’s black market in vapes.
