A crackdown on vaping has been launched in Queensland after an inquiry discovered "horrifying" chemicals in e-cigarettes.
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The state government on Wednesday announced $28.4 million in funding to target vaping, after accepting all 14 recommendations of a parliamentary inquiry into the chemicals in vapes.
"We had no idea what people are putting into their bodies. The results were horrifying," Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said.
"Arsenic, lead, formaldehyde were some of the deadly chemicals that were found.
"On top of that, many vapes marketed as nicotine-free were simply not."
The funding package will go towards a Queensland-Commonwealth joint task force aimed at ending illegal vape sales.
It will also look at guidelines for schools to identify and support students who vape, and develop resources to help those who want to quit.
"Just one vape is the same as 400 cigarettes. You can imagine the damage that does to a person's lungs especially a very young child," the premier said.
"We must continue to raise the awareness of the dangers of vaping."
Health Minister Shannon Fentiman said the government was determined to address the "vaping crisis" after Cancer Council research results emerged this week.
She said it showed more than one-third of young Australians vape and almost three-quarters of parents suspected their child was vaping.
The Cancer Council's research also found accessibility was a driving factor behind vaping uptake across the nation.
"This is why we are acting," the health minster told parliament on Wednesday.
The package includes $2 million this financial year and then $5 million annually to improve public health units' ability to enforce strict new laws on illegal tobacco and vapes, passed by parliament in May.
Since then about 170,000 illegal vapes have been seized in Queensland worth millions, Ms Fentiman said.
A key recommendation was establishing the joint task force to better regulate and detect illegal vapes, she said.
A $500,000 investment will be followed by $1 million every year to expand the Quitline service, providing more support for those trying to quit.
Ms Fentiman said millions would also be spent on designing and rolling out a support program for school age children with nicotine dependency.
Australian Associated Press
