{"id":7206,"date":"2020-01-16T10:31:41","date_gmt":"2020-01-16T00:31:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lungfoundation.com.au\/?post_type=article&p=7206"},"modified":"2020-01-23T14:35:12","modified_gmt":"2020-01-23T04:35:12","slug":"submissions-to-tga-on-heat-not-burn-tobacco-products","status":"publish","type":"article","link":"https:\/\/lungfoundation.com.au\/news\/submissions-to-tga-on-heat-not-burn-tobacco-products\/","title":{"rendered":"Submissions to TGA on heat-not-burn tobacco products"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

We need your voice. We\u2019re urging the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) to reject a proposal from Philip Morris International (PMI) – big tobacco – to sell heat-not-burn (HnB) tobacco products in Australia. These products are toxic and addictive; and will create lung disease in a new generation of Australians. <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In late 2019, tobacco company PMI put an application to the TGA seeking to list tobacco prepared and packed for heating as an exempt item under the Poisons Standard<\/em>. If accepted by the TGA, this would allow PMI \u2013 <\/a>and other tobacco companies \u2013 to immediately sell their HnB tobacco products all Australians over the age of 18. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What are heat-not-burn products?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

These products are electronic devices\nthat, unlike e-cigarettes, contain tobacco leaf which is heated to generate a\nnicotine-containing vapour. This makes them different from conventional\ncigarettes, as well as e-cigarette or vaping devices that use chemical liquids. Heated tobacco products are currently available\nin more than 50 countries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why should you care?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Every year tobacco kills more than 15,500 Australians. It is the leading cause of preventable disease and injury burden in Australia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

PMI argues that scientific assessment shows HnB products produce lower levels of toxic chemicals than cigarettes. While some short-term studies indicate that level of toxicants in the vapor in these products is lower than the levels in the smoke of conventional cigarettes [i], there is no evidence that these products reduce the risk of tobacco-related illnesses [ii].  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

PMI also says that HnB products are a\n\u201cbetter alternative for current Australian smokers who do not quit\u201d. Evidence shows,\nhowever, that the introduction of HnB products would likely expand the tobacco\nmarket by attracting new users \u2013 young people in particular \u2013 and significantly\nreduce smoking cessation rates. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lung Foundation Australia maintains our position that there are alternative, proven smoking cessation methods, such as best practice nicotine delivery systems and cessation programs, that do not expose the lungs to harmful elements. We are strongly recommending that the TGA adopt a protective and precautionary approach to HnB products. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What can you do?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Support our submission<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

We want to know your views on current, past\nand future availability of tobacco cigarettes, flavoured e-cigarettes and HnB products\nin Australia. Your responses will help us to advocate against a decision to\nintroduce products to the Australian market that could have a devastating\nimpact on many lives. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Please take 5 minutes to complete this short survey and help us ensure our government takes a precautionary approach to the availability of HnB products in Australia. The survey will close at 4pm (AEST) on Friday 24 January.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Complete survey here.<\/strong><\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Make\nyour own submission <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In March the TGA will meet to discuss PMI\u2019s application. As part of the reviewing process, public submissions can be made in relation to the application. <\/p>\n\n\n\n