CHAIR – Minister, we will go back to tobacco and the Tobacco Action Plan ‑ according to the Tasmanian Tobacco Action Plan 2022‑26, one‑third of secondary school students between 12 and 17 years of age tried a vape in 2022. That was an increase from 13 per cent in 2017, i.e. a 20 per cent increase. I go back to the question Ms Haddad asked about your department de‑funding Quit Tasmania’s education, and this education is seen as the best and highest priority for reducing the impact of vapes, and for children to take up vapes. This is a crisis, so how can you, hand on heart, say you’re ahead of the curve when it comes to reducing access to vapes for children?
Mrs ARCHER – As I said previously, there are a range of responses that the Tasmanian Government is taking, including taking strong action in relation to illicit vapes because vapes are only available on prescription lawfully in Australia, so taking action in relation to illicit vapes. I agree that education is an important part of that. As I noted earlier, the funding that was provided to the Cancer Council previously was a time-limited funding.
That is not to say that the government won’t consider future action in relation to that issue. As I said, I have met with Cancer Council Tasmania. I have spoken quite extensively today about the 20‑year preventative health strategy and would very much encourage the Cancer Council to engage with that process. In addition to that, as previously indicated, there is also Commonwealth funding that is available for education programs as well.
CHAIR – Yes, and that was part of the Commonwealth alterations and the legislation that was brought in. Again, I impress upon you, why would you defund Quit Tasmania and put them in a situation ‑ as a leading provider of information and a very successful provider – why would you put them in that sort of situation, where there is some uncertainty with a successful program that they’re providing?
Mrs ARCHER – As I said, it is time‑limited funding. It’s not unusual that the government has time‑limited funding across a range of areas. The Healthy Tasmania five-year strategic plan includes targeted actions to address smoking and the use of e‑cigarettes, actions include strengthening tobacco control laws to reduce the visibility and availability of smoking products. For example, removing cues like price boards and notices in retail outlets; regulating new and emerging tobacco industry products; delivering a smoking prevention package for young people, to encourage young people to be smoke and vape free.
Some completed actions include ‘Do you know what your vaping?’ posters, fact sheets and social media campaigns, which were launched in June 2023; ‘Vaping, Youth and Health’ e‑learning package developed for Tasmanian schools which was launched on the 27 May 2024; a clinicians’ guide to supporting young people to quit e‑cigarettes, which was launched in August 2024; and Quit Tasmania launched their youth‑focused anti‑vaping campaign called ‘Don’t Let It In’ in November 2024.
CHAIR – Which was the last financial year. We will go on to the next question.
