Inquiry into the Use and Marketing of Electronic Cigarettes and Personal Vaporisers in Australia

Submission 181

Dr Michael J Atherton
Psychiatrist and Addiction Specialist
MRCPsych (UK), FRANZCP Cert. Addiction Psych FAChAM
The Sydney Clinic, 26 Murray Street, Bronte, NSW, 2024.

To Whom It May Concern:

Dear Sir or Madam,

Re: Inquiry into the Use and Marketing of Electronic Cigarettes and Personal
Vaporisers in Australia Submission 65
I am an Addiction Specialist based in Sydney and work in a range of facilities for people with
mental illness and substance use. I also work with the Homeless in my role as consultant
psychiatrist to the St Vincent’s Homeless Health Service and have a large number of indigenous
clients who all have complex medical, psychiatric and physical health problems. All of these
populations are heavy Tobacco users and despite some improvements the large decrease in
Tobacco use seen in other populations has largely bypassed these groups. E-Cigarettes are an
important tool in the battle to change these striking and disturbing differences which is one major
factor in the huge health discrepancies which exist between the average Australian and these
groups.

There is little doubt and nil evidence to suggest otherwise that E-Cigarettes are safer than normal
cigarettes and there is unequivocal evidence that they can help reduce the harmful use of tobacco
in many users. E-Cigarettes are acceptable to consumers and an affordable alternative to current
NRT options. There is no evidence that use of E-Cigarettes deters users from taking up other
forms of Tobacco cessation products and they can be successfully combined with these products
in some cases to increase efficacy of all.

There already exists a large population of E-Cigarette users in Australia and the continued
marginalisation of this community has led to some being turned back towards the more harmful
product.

I have no financial or other arrangements with companies that promote or sell E-Cigarettes +
Nicotine vapour but strongly support their use as an essential tool in the armoury to fight
Tobacco dependence especially in populations which are struggling with the current options

Yours sincerely

Dr Michael J Atherton
26/6/17
Inquiry into the Use and Marketing of Electronic Cigarettes and Personal Vaporisers in Australia
Submission 181

Private File