Moved by Councillor Worling, seconded by
Councillor Kok -
It is resolved that:
(A) Council note:
(i)
in March 2023, the Cancer Council
reported that young people were the predominant consumers of vapes: with 20 per
cent of 18 to 24-year-olds and 14 per cent of 14 to 17-year-olds current
vapers;
(ii)
NSW Health Minister Ryan Park
called vaping “one of the biggest public health challenges we face.” The Cancer Council’s Public Health Chair
called it “a public health crisis…rapidly unfolding before our eyes”;
(iii)
there
are ongoing community concerns regarding the escalation in popularity of vaping
and e-cigarettes, and the proliferation of tobacconists and convenience stores
retailing vaping products and/or illegal tobacco across the City of Sydney;
(iv)
NSW Health figures show there were
19,215 retailers that had notified the state government of their intent to sell
tobacco and/or e-cigarette products as of September 2023;
(v)
the
unrestrained proliferation of vaping retailers and convenience stores selling
these products in our Local Government Area risks overshadowing other forms of
commerce, jeopardising the diversity and aesthetic integrity of our high
streets; and endangering the health of our residents;
(vi)
researchers
at the Australian National University have published a review of global
evidence on vaping. The research found:
(a)
vapes
containing nicotine are highly addictive. Vaping can lead to addiction,
poisoning, seizures, and lung injury. There is still a lack of evidence on how
vaping impacts a range of longer-term health conditions, including
cardiovascular disease, cancer, mental health, child development, reproduction,
and sleep;
(b)
a study
of the contents of the smoke from a non-nicotine vape found 243 unique
chemicals, of which 38 were listed poisons;
(c)
nicotine
exposure during adolescence can change the development and function of the
brain; and
(d)
vaping
is bad for the environment. Vape smoke pollutes indoor air; vapes also contain
single-use plastics and lithium batteries, which contribute to environmental
waste;
(vii)
from 1
January 2024, the importation of all disposable vapes with or without nicotine
was banned by the Australian Federal Government. The changes are the first
stage of a suite of reforms to be rolled out over 2024, including a public
health campaign and investment in support programs to help people quit;
(viii)
in
January 2024, the NSW Government launched a campaign to educate young people
about the harms of vaping;
(ix)
from 1
October 2021, e-cigarettes and e-liquids containing nicotine are a prescription
only medicine. This means pharmacists in community pharmacies can supply
e-liquids and e-cigarettes (containing nicotine) to their customers (18 years
and over) if they have a valid prescription from a doctor;
(x)
e-cigarettes
that do not contain nicotine are legal in NSW. Adults can buy and use
e-cigarettes that do not contain nicotine;
(xi)
vaping,
e-cigarettes and nicotine are regulated by National and State legislation, not
planning controls; and
(xii)
the NSW
planning system requires all councils to use common definitions for land use
zoning and the City’s current planning system does not differentiate between
types of retail uses. Councils cannot condition what type of goods can or
cannot be sold; and
(B)
the
Lord Mayor be requested to write to the NSW Premier expressing concerns about
the proliferation of vaping shops and tobacconists in the community and asking
the NSW Government to review how tobacconists and e-cigarettes can be better
regulated, including signage, packaging and advertising similar to approaches
taken to minimise harm of cigarettes and gambling.
The motion was carried on the following show of
hands –
Ayes
(9) The Chair (the Lord Mayor),
Councillors Chan, Davis, Ellsmore, Gannon, Kok, Scott, Weldon and Worling
Noes (1) Councillor
Jarrett.
Carried.
X099886