Screening and Scoping Report: E-cigarette Health Impact Assessment

This report presents a screening and scoping analysis of the health impact of e-cigarettes, focusing on their potential to aid in smoking cessation. The report examines the use of e-cigarettes, also known as personal vaporizers (PVs), and their increasing popularity, particularly in Australia. It discusses the legal and regulatory context surrounding e-cigarettes, including the proposed exceptions for nicotine concentrations. The report references international evidence supporting e-cigarettes' effectiveness in reducing and quitting tobacco smoking, highlighting the importance of appropriate labeling and consumer information. The assessment considers both the economic and legal implications, with a primary focus on improving public health and reducing healthcare costs. The report concludes by advocating for the development of regulations concerning e-cigarettes in Australia to leverage their potential as a harm reduction strategy for tobacco smokers. It references key sources such as the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) and Fraser et al. (2015) to support its findings.

Screening and Scoping Report 1
Health Impact Assessment of E-cigarette Use in Australia
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Screening and Scoping Report 2
Screening and Scoping Report
E-cigarettes are increasingly popular among cigarette smokers who wish to reduce
their consumption of tobacco. Impact Assessments have been conducted to establish the
implications of e-cigarette smoking; whether it increases or decreases the smoking cessation.
This paper reports the findings of screening and scoping process of e-cigarettes by the
Australian government.
Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) also known as personal vaporisers (PVs) have
elicited concerns from relevant stakeholders the world over on their applicability in inducing
smoking cessation and reduction. Fraser et al. (2015) assert that the use of PVs “has increased
rapidly in Australia despite the legal barriers to the sale, possession and use of nicotine for
non-therapeutic purposes.” PVs are expected to reduce the harm of tobacco smoking. As such
it has been proposed that the government should make exceptions from nicotine
concentrations that are below 3.6 percent for self-administration through the E-cigarette
system (Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), 2018).
There is international evidence that e-cigarettes help smokers to reduce and quit
tobacco smoking. E-cigarettes address both the pleasure of nicotine use and the habit of
smoking. However, users must be cautioned through labelling and correct displaying of
relevant warnings and consumer information. The health impact assessment of e-cigarettes
should include both the economic and legal implications; however, the main aim is to
improve peoples’ health and cost of health systems (TGA, 2018).
In conclusion, e-cigarettes are a harm reduction strategy for tobacco smokers.
Therefore, Australia should use the available resources to develop regulations on the e-
cigarettes.

Screening and Scoping Report 3
References
Fraser, D., Weier, M., Keane, H. and Gartner, C. (2015). Vapers’ perspectives on electronic
cigarette regulation in Australia. International Journal of Drug Policy, 26(6), pp.589-
594.
Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). (2018). 2.1 Nicotine. [online] Available at:
https://www.tga.gov.au/book-page/21-nicotine-0 [Accessed 1 Feb. 2018].