Malarndirri McCarthy (NT, Australian Labor Party, Assistant Minister for Indigenous Australians) Share this | Hansard source

I do take some concern with your comments in relation to Minister Mark Butler and his determination to protect the youth of Australia in regard to these areas around tobacco and the concerns we have with e-nicotine. I take concern with that because I know the minister is working very diligently with his department and with states and territories, because we know the impact this is having on our youth across the country, particularly in our schools and classrooms.

You heard the minister on Friday. He is going to work with states and territories. I understand that that legislation will be introduced in 2024 to prevent the domestic manufacture, advertisement, supply and commercial possession of non-therapeutic and disposable single-use vapes to ensure comprehensive controls on vapes across all levels of the supply chain. This legislation will not criminalise personal possession or use. It will be about working with state and territory governments. We recognise there are a range of state and territory laws that regulate vape supply and use that will continue unless the states and territories repeal them.

So, could I just point out to the Senate that a terrific amount of work is going into this. I do get the coalition's concerns, from Senator Canavan and also Senator Ruston, around the illicit tobacco side of things. But I reiterate to the Senate that this is a critical time to send a very strong message across the country that we want to see a reduction in this space. We want to see the improved health of people. And yes, we want to do that through what we see in this particular legislation with plain packaging.