Responsible Vaping Australia (RVA) has launched as a movement to represent industry and consumers who advocate for the responsible regulation of nicotine vaping products.
The aim of RVA, which has launched in partnership with retailers and industry associations, is to end the black market trade of nicotine vaping products and ensure Australian adult consumers are able to purchase products in a responsible and regulated way.
Supporters of RVA are committed to vaping product standards, clear labelling of packaging, the quality of ingredients, youth access prevention, and responsible retailing practices.
According to the RVA website, there are currently more than 1.1 million adult vapers in Australia, a 260 per cent rise over the past five years. This is despite anti-vaping advertising campaigns and a nationwide ban on the retail sale of nicotine vaping products.
Research shows only 12 per cent of all adult nicotine vapers in Australia have gone to a doctor for a nicotine prescription meaning many adult vapers are purchasing illicit nicotine vaping products.
Rory Cotter, General Manager British American Tobacco Australia, said that RVA is an industry leading movement to demonstrate the responsible retailing of vaping products in Australia.
The RVA movement is designed to bring Australia into line with other countries around the world – like the UK and New Zealand, and to support a common sense approach to the regulation of nicotine vaping products.
“Without regulatory reform in Australia, the black market for vaping products will continue to grow at the expense of the lawful retail industry and adult vapers who deserve access to regulated products sold by responsible retailers.
“By working together to achieve the sensible regulation of vaping products, we will deliver sustainable value for the whole retail industry while implementing industry leading responsible retailing practices,” he said.
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