In another wave of vaping crackdowns, sweeping changes have seen vaping banned in a variety of outdoor spaces. From 1st March, laws kick in across South Australia to address the risks associated with passive inhalation of e-cigarette aerosol, along with tobacco smoke from cigarettes.
This new law has come off the back of the federal vaping laws announced in January regarding the importing of disposable and reusable vapes.
Vaping banned in South Australian outdoor public spaces
Starting March 1st, it is now illegal to vape and smoke within 10 metres of schools, childcare centres, hospitals and shopping centres. This rule also applies to outdoor swimming pools and major events. Beachgoers who choose to vape will need to steer clear of the flagged areas of the beach.
Here’s the full list of vape-prohibited outdoor public spaces:
- Outdoor public swimming facilities and within 10 metres of the entrance.
- On beaches between and within 50 metres of patrol flags and within 5 metres of jetties.
- At and within 10 metres of schools and childcare settings.
- At and within 10 metres of non-residential building entrances, such as entrances to shopping centres, government and commercial buildings.
- At public hospitals and health facilities, private hospitals and within 10 metres of their boundaries.
- At major event venues declared under the Major Events Act 2013.
- At and within 10 metres of playing and viewing areas during organised under-18 sporting events.
People who are caught vaping in these areas will receive on-the-spot fines of $105, and up to $750 for repeat offenders. Smoke-free and vape-free signs are now being enforced in these outdoor public locations.
The public is encouraged to “dob in a vaper”
The South Australian government is urging the public to dob in vapers flouting the rules by filling out this Tobacco and Vape/E-Cigarette reporting form on the SA government website. They said compliance teams will be placed in hot spot areas to police the bans, but their concentration is to educate the public on the dangers of vaping, with the use of penalties as a last resort.
“We make no apologies for stamping out vaping and smoking in a range of public spaces… Smoking is our biggest preventable killer and cause of disease and the rates of young people vaping and becoming addicted is alarming,” says SA Health and Wellbeing Minister, Chris Picton.
“South Australians want to enjoy their public spaces, including outdoor pools and kids’ sporting grounds, free from harmful tobacco smoke and e-cigarette vapour.”
Popular science presenter Dr Karl Kruszelnicki will feature in a new campaign rolled out highlighting the risks of vaping. The ‘Clearing the Air’ advertising campaign will explain how the new laws will work, and a second campaign, ‘Vape Truths’ will launch mid-March.
Why SA had vaping banned: the dangers of vaping
The Clinical Director of Drug and Alcohol Services of South Australia, Dr Victoria Cook, has indicated vaping is just as dangerous as smoking, with many vapes containing more nicotine than cigarettes.
“The nicotine in one vape can be equal to 50 cigarettes,” Dr Cook.
Some vapes include 200 toxic chemicals, including arsenic, mercury and formaldehyde. It can cause significant health issues, including nicotine poisoning, respiratory issues, cardiovascular concerns and many other long-term ill effects.
“We are seeing people presenting with mouth ulcers, mouth irritation, a propencity to develop shortness of breath and asthma,” Dr Cook.
It is especially concerning for young people, with children as young as four getting their hands on vapes. Vapes can look like other objects children may have, such as highlighters, and many children have been hiding them in pockets and pencil cases at school.
“Ultimately the goal is to get rid of [vapes] altogether,” Dr Chris Lease, SA Health.
The federal government will be releasing a further ban on vapes later this year, prohibiting vendors from selling vapes to anyone without a prescription.
