Tobacco and Other Smoking Products (Vaping) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2024

As Minister for Health, introduced and moved the bill to implement nation-leading enforcement powers against illegal vapes and illicit tobacco, citing vaping as a serious public health epidemic affecting young people.

“Safeguarding the health and safety of Queenslanders has always been a key priority of this government. However, vaping represents a serious and growing public health epidemic.”— 2024-09-11View Hansard

As Shadow Minister for Health, announced the LNP will not oppose the bill while criticising the government's poor enforcement record on existing illegal tobacco laws and raising concerns about implementation.

“I want to convey that the LNP will not oppose this bill. Is the bill perfect? No, it is not... we certainly will not stand in the way of this legislation because any progress in trying to turn the tide on vaping across Queensland is a good thing.”— 2024-09-11View Hansard

As committee chair, spoke strongly in support of the bill, highlighting criminal links in illegal vape shops and the public health crisis affecting youth.

“There is no doubt in my mind that strong criminal links exist in these illegal pop-up shops that are putting the lives of millions of our youth at risk by selling and supplying their nicotine-laden products.”— 2024-09-11View Hansard

Announced the LNP will not oppose the bill but criticised Labor governments for not enforcing existing laws, noting seven stores in his electorate blatantly flouting tobacco and vaping laws.

“My LNP colleagues and I will not oppose this bill, but we must highlight the shortcomings of successive Labor governments for not enforcing their own laws when it comes to illicit tobacco and vaping products.”— 2024-09-11View Hansard

Supported the bill while noting vaping and illegal tobacco will be a moving target for parliaments to address, and shared a personal story about a family member's health problems from vaping.

“I see vaping and illegal tobacco as a moving target. This parliament and governments over the next couple of generations are going to be dealing with this issue over and over again.”— 2024-09-11View Hansard

Supported the bill while urging stronger enforcement action against illegal vape shops, sharing concerns about young people affected by vaping including his daughter's boyfriend.

“The government needs to get onto that and shut these places down. They need to go in there, take all their product and throw it in the bin so they cannot sell it. That is not happening.”— 2024-09-11View Hansard

As a committee member, spoke in support of the bill's objectives to address vaping as a significant public health concern, particularly for young people.

“This bill represents a monumental step in our efforts to combat the rise of illicit tobacco and vaping products, enabling us to take coordinated action to address and reverse the public health threat posed by these illicit products.”— 2024-09-11View Hansard

Announced the opposition will not oppose the bill, citing research showing vapers are more likely to become smokers, while criticising the government's failure to enforce existing laws.

“The opposition will not oppose this bill, which aims to ensure Queensland authorities can enforce the Commonwealth ban on the supply and possession of vaping goods.”— 2024-09-11View Hansard

Confirmed the LNP will not oppose the bill, expressing concern as a father of four about vaping prevalence in schools and the need for better enforcement.

“We will not be opposing this because vaping is a scourge on society and, hopefully, that is something we can all agree on.”— 2024-09-11View Hansard

Strongly supported the bill, emphasising the alarming dangers vaping poses to young people and the need for enforcement action against illegal operators.

“This bill should not be underestimated in terms of its impact on improving the health of many Queenslanders. The alarming dangers that vaping poses to our community and especially our children are serious and are of growing concern.”— 2024-09-11View Hansard

Supported the bill as a former public education administrator, discussing the challenges schools face with vaping and the need for multi-level government intervention.

“We know that vaping, like tobacco use, requires significant intervention at all levels—local councils, state government and federal government.”— 2024-09-11View Hansard

Supported the bill while highlighting alarming vaping statistics among young people and praising Elanora State High School's innovative anti-vaping education program.

“Needless to say, it is definitely an issue our community is acutely aware of and concerned about, not only with the rapid uptake of vaping by our kids but also with the adverse health effects and the harms that we do not yet fully appreciate.”— 2024-09-11View Hansard

Supported the bill's objectives while expressing frustration about the proliferation of illicit tobacco shops in her electorate and the lack of enforcement action.

“The sale of illegal and illicit e-cigarette sales in Queensland and Australia is well and truly out of control. Another illicit tobacco shop opened in my electorate in Dalby in July this year, bringing the total to four shops in Dalby.”— 2024-09-11View Hansard

Supported the bill while criticising former federal minister Peter Dutton for failing to stop nicotine vapes at the border, leading to the current crisis.

“We have to remember where this problem came from. We were supposed to stop all nicotine-based vapes at the border. However, Peter Dutton, the minister responsible for that, grossly failed.”— 2024-09-11View Hansard

Supported the bill, raising particular concerns about vaping's impact on remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities where vapes are being sold at inflated prices.

“I am very concerned about how vaping is making its way into discrete communities in my electorate. Like sly grogging, vapes are being bought for less and taken into discrete communities and sold for anywhere between $70 and $150.”— 2024-09-11View Hansard