My evidence at the NSW Parliamentary Inquiry into Vaping, 12 April 2024

[@Shredzebra]

Thank you Dr Mendelsohn for being the voice of truth and reason, and standing up for the millions of us who want better public and personal health outcomes. It is difficult to fight misinformation and agendas with science-based evidence, I'm so glad to have someone with the knowledge and ability to answer these (sometimes misguided/outlandish) questions in this inquiry. We deserve to have the ability to make choices regarding our own health through PROVEN-SAFER and MOST-SUCCCESSFUL harm-reduction alternatives

[@michaelwredfearn]

Thank you, Dr. M. for your important contributions to public health and helping people to quit smoking for good. ❤

[@billtbodger]

Really pleased to see you stand your ground in front of the committee, There is so much misinformation out there that it is hard to fight them, but you can't teach Stupid, well said Colin

[@birdman_69]

Thank you Dr Mendelsohn

[@AnneEllis-mb9li]

Thank you Dr Colin. I smoked for 40 years wheezing coughing and smelly. I switched to vaping I no longer have a cough and I no longer wheeze the best thing I did giving up cigarettes

[@Sam-sj4pd]

I'm 45. Strarted smoking at 14. Switched to vaping 8 years ago and never felt better.

[@ronmalloy8504]

Same here 14 years vaping and I feel great.

[@sevencasper9016]

Thanks Dr Colin, great job as always. I commend you on your calm disposition 👍

[@act180]

Thank you so much Dr Mendelsohn! You did so well - just facts and no emotion, against such ignorance 👏

[@alfagtv100]

Thank you Doctor and well done. How frustrating it must be to be you, when politicians and government media hear your words but struggle to listen. Some of the members seem unwilling to consider the narrative they have been sold may be flawed, or simply false. History teaches that when politicians push for regulation to 'protect the kids', that is rarely the true motivator.

[@aileenbell2248]

Brilliant.. thank you Dr Colin 🙂🩵🩵

[@toms4097]

I liked the Covid vaccine comparison. Good job Dr Colin

[@thecoilman]

This video provides a thought-provoking perspective on the complex issues surrounding vaping regulation in Australia. The speaker does a commendable job addressing the challenges of current prohibitive policies, highlighting how they inadvertently contribute to a booming black market and restrict access for smokers seeking safer alternatives. The discussion on balancing the potential harms to youth with significant public health benefits is particularly crucial. It's a compelling argument for rethinking regulatory strategies to align more closely with successful models from other Western countries. The suggestion to regulate vaping products similarly to how alcohol and cigarettes are handled could indeed be the key to minimizing illegal trade while protecting public health. It's an enlightening session that underscores the importance of evidence-based policy to tackle such multifaceted health issues.

[@rowdster1ify]

Thanks you for common sense and honesty Dr. Mendelsohn. Glad your not susceptible to being paid off. Much appreciated and love your work.

[@AndysDIY]

Thank you for everything you do in helping us reformed smokers. I started vaping 3 years ago and haven't touched a cigarette since and i was a 20 per day smoker.

[@mickkerr77]

Thank you Dr Mendelsohn for fighting the good fight for us vapers

[@lih2188]

Thank you Dr Colin. You are my hero!

[@JimTurbo]

Thank you Dr Mendelsohn 🙏

[@williamJohanns436]

Every country should have a doctor like dr Colin that give the facts to the public.

[@Toey69]

Thank you Doctor Colin Mendelson!

[@kevh2778]

Well done Dr Col 👍🏻The government can do what it wants 🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️ I will unfortunately do what I need to do to continue vaping, as I will never smoke cigarettes again ! & I don’t use disposable vapes !!!!!

[@keishalane07]

Thank you Dr Mendelsohn, I smoked for 20+ years and switched to vaping 7 years ago. I truly believe that vaping saved my life. I've never felt better.

[@dancoways]

solid evidence based comments as always, thanks for fighting our corner Dr Col!

[@DojoCat-jjj]

Thank you Dr Mendelsohn for fighting the fight :)

[@beaujenkins2739]

Thank you dr mendelsohn

[@bee669]

Thankyou Dr Mendelsohn, it was a relief to hear reasonable, thoughtful, evidence based responses to the questions posed. I quit smoking 14 years ago immediately with vaping and my health is better than ever. I’m glad you were able to speak on behalf of adult vapers as we have largely been ignored by the government which has been very depressing and anxiety inducing. The pharmaceutical model will not be embraced by adult vapers as you so eloquently argued.

[@MedicalW420]

Because you are trying to tell the government things they already know so they won't listen, they try to tell us VAPING FACTS and people cry tobacco or just talk shit ABOUT the governments. Humans suck

[@the_serial_chiller]

Fantastic ‘speech’ at the inquiry, Dr Mendelsohn! I am glad to see someone saying to the government what we have all been thinking. It amazes me that people still haven’t realised how ineffectual prohibition is. How can you criminalise a medical issue..? Disgusting and disturbing.

[@the_serial_chiller]

I have to say I admire you keeping your cool. I am struggling when I hear completely unsubstantiated fucking nonsense.

[@jrlmenezes1]

Masterful display of coherence, logic, evidence based policy. Great deliverance too. I wish I could do emulate half of it. Usually, I will rapidly escalate to impatience and aggressiveness wording when faced with stupid reasoning and factual distortions. Thanks for a good role model :-)

[@xXxHarryMuffxXx]

I can not Thank you enough for always being there to fight for our right to a safer alternative than smoking. Its clear by the questions of the committee that they have no idea how vaping works and the level of the black market problem.

[@keishalane07]

It's so frustrating that the people who get to make these life saving decisions (on our behalf) have little to no idea what the hell they're talking about. They choose to follow the so called 'evidence' only when it suits their agenda. Thank goodness we have Dr M to shut down the bogus claims and hit them with straight facts.

[@michelleelliott2882]

Thanks Dr Colin Mendelssohn! You were great at bringing Facts!

[@MedicalW420]

What facts? That tobacco is bad? No one listens to vapers because they just tell a tobacco story etc While they laugh at the vaping illnesses. At least smokers don't laugh at cancer while vapers will fact check someone with popcorn lung. Disgusting

[@keishalane07]

Just finished watching. Brilliant! Informative and thought provoking as always. 29:36 the prescription model won't work effectively - mike drop 😂

[@moyleeppelstun638]

Dr what a legend ! thank you...

[@gav_bray]

Thank you Dr Mendelsohn for calmly and clearly expressing the positives of vaping in Australia on our behalf. But sadly, I really don't think anything you mentioned went into the skulls of the people sitting on the panel. Much Love

[@redsoxxy]

No one is addressing the vapes that you put your own nicotine and ejuices into and can control the amount of nicotine. No one is even mentioning the benefits of those for the people transitioning away from cigarettes. Not all adults are using the black market disposables.

[@rbmkii]

Fantastic work as always Colin, you truly deserve an AO for your advocacy & harm reduction work. Here's hoping your testimony carries some weight & some sensible regulation is achieved. Many thanks again

[@samanthabarratt7518]

Fantastic submission, as always Colin. Hope it makes a difference

[@stuartvalentine7913]

Your extensive knowledge of harm reduction is fantastic. As a vaper I have to agree that you have the solutions the government need to enact for vapers in this country. The question is will the Australian government listen to the experts. Or ignore the facts and continue with their extremely lazy attitude and stick with a political agenda that neither helps the problem or the people.

[@MedicalW420]

AND When will Australia accept vaping without going but but but tobacco, WE ONLY CARE ABOUT VAPING FACTS

[@phoenix_coils8217]

Hit the nail on the head with the excelerated decline in smoking.... that's where the government sees the problem! They are losing $ on cigarettes FAST!!!!

[@brentmcc6048]

Well done!

[@RedBarron14]

My daughter thanks me often, I no longer smell of awful cigarettes. 40 years I smoked, and yes indeed it keeps me smoke free via 3mg of nicotine. The health differences between them is astonishing. Currently its day 1571, and $47,913 so let's say 45k saved. And that's 31,418 less cigarettes as well. Yes indeed, with the health consequences of smoking in comparison to vaping the latter has definitely saved my life. Thank you Dr Colin Mendelsohn. 👏👏 Sure, issues will exist and continue with kids, but do adult lives matter? they do when it effects families...The committee should give serious consideration to the penultimate decision. Prohibition or legalisation...🤷‍♂️

[@brienstuart9064]

I'm on day 1,954 & almost 43,000 🚬 not smoked. I smoked for a little over 30 years 🙈

[@lenloy5643]

Iv been a smoker for 45 years. I've been a vaper for a year now. I never look back, but the Australia ban really really sucks ,bow o just hope you get through those s closed minds

[@BrendanCleaver]

Thanks Dr Colin for your ongoing support to ex-smokers who have successfully quit the smokes by using vaping as a far safer alternative!

[@louisupton9354]

Dr Mendelsohn, we can share the information required for black market with the government. Although, we have done this already and they havent followed through

[@drcolinmendelsohn]

Hi Louis. I also covered that extensively in my submission. What information are you referring to? Can you email me a copy?

[@milro0817]

This was so one-sided, you completely destroyed them! Just absolutely brilliant!!! Amazing Dr Mendelsohn, Thank you.

[@MedicalW420]

Vapes are one sided as the world is wrong except them, the reason vaping is being shut down is because of the attitude of vapers. Sir vaping will do negative to health, Vapers will Facts check and give a Hour speech about Tobacco. Like wow if one could accept the risk maybe we could reduce, people get sick from vapes and it's just misinformation . Don't worry because this community will turn against you when you fall

[@pymats]

brilliant again doc

[@thebrightsideok]

Outstanding delivery of information!

[@ThomasandDrewCH2]

the look on their faces when you actually compare the smoking deaths to vaping and the minimal risk. I think they were shocked

[@MedicalW420]

It's not hard to beat a world leading killer but also not hard to catch up, vapers use tobacco for every evidence which is a Good way to become tobacco. See as a REAL vaper evidence (like 95% safer ) is rigged, the only facts that matter IS VAPING

[@kevh2778]

Why doesn’t Australia do what the UK is doing, licensed vape shops only sell to people over 18yrs, there disposable vapes have a limited amount of nicotine in them ! Simple !!!!

[@MedicalW420]

How behind are you? Uk and nz are in the shit they are looking to copy Australia

[@kylie-annekennerley7879]

Well done Dr Colin 👏🏼 Clear , concise & truthful as always 😊 Prohibition DOES NOT work, a responsible approach is needed just like alcohol & cigarettes.

[@MrEvilnetworks]

Well done Dr Mendelsohn, unfortunately you can tell no one on that committee took any notice, they had already made up their minds, even before your presentation, it’s a real shame they could not take notice of your grass roots evidence 😢 vaping saved my life, period.

[@kingrangasempire]

i do not get as grouchy or aggressive if you want to call it that from not having a vape in a while i enjoy vaping the flavours and people comment i do not stick anymore so either way dr colin sir thanks for this big effort you are doing for us

[@kylie-annekennerley7879]

I'm 52, I smoked for 27yrs, quit literally overnight with vaping been vaping 7yrs & my health has increased & I feel better than I have in years!

[@ronmalloy8504]

Thank you for your intellectual outlook on vaping.l would like to see kids vaping instead of smoking.

[@kingrangasempire]

question if a child is some how addicted to an illegal drug how do you approach that to help get the child off the drugs again? isn't vaping for a nicotine dependant child thanks you dr colin for your support in this 2 years ago i took up vaping to get off the stink sticks and it is the only thing that has got me off.

[@Wombat-y7t]

You can't protect people from dumb actions on their part...... Excellent presentation Dr.

[@IntrospectivePest]

The vast majority of people who vape buy disposables for the convenience, this pharmacy GP model nonsense will not work, all those vapers will just buy cigarettes from those same tobacconists. The actual REAL harm this will create is something we can easily measure, assess, and predict, so I find it bizzare that no one besides you in the medical field is touching this topic. I really hope the black market thrives otherwise lung related deaths are going to surge.

[@kazinmge]

Thank you for all your hard work. I talked to my doctor about vaping and got back " but that causes cancer but a differnt type to smoking " I dont think by the questions they have any intention of changing thier minds. I am all for banning the dodgy chineese black market disposables. That the government made flourish by their prescription model . Leave people like me that use a regulated device alone .

[@MedicalW420]

Addiction always makes you think you're right, how the fuck can you talk shit about your dr? It just shows people don't give a single fuck about vaping, I GIVE A SHIT AND WHEN HARM IS SAID DONT FIGHT IT BUT ACCEPT/FIX IT. Oh but we don't have to improve vaping because tobacco is already worse, boom banned because humans are idiots

[@timdoherty101]

I agree with you completely Colin but your suggestion of vaping areas in schools expects too much of your audience and gives antz a stick to beat you with. I believe it is unhelpful. Otherwise, thankyou for your tireless efforts in the face of lies, slander and stupidity.

[@drcolinmendelsohn]

Read the full article and tell me what you think educationhq.com/news/fresh-approach-a-pragmatic-7-point-plan-to-address-vaping-in-schools-153684/

[@drcolinmendelsohn]

Another option for addicted teen vapers is to use nicotine gum or pouches at school to prevent withdrawal symptoms. How do you feel about that?

[@timdoherty101]

@@drcolinmendelsohn Both approaches have pragmatic merit. It's not that I think they are mistaken per se. However, shorn of context, it is far too easy for ANTZ to sensationalise and weaponise an excerpted soundbite, as we have seen. That tactic is effective and by the time you are drawn into the weeds explaining the nuance, the bulk of the audience IMO is already lost. On balance I believe publicly airing these suggestions is more helpful to our opponents, whatever their merits when thoughtfully considered. In any case, the genie cannot be put back in the bottle, so we must promote that more nuanced elaboration of the argument but I fear it may be asking more of the public than is realistic.

[@drcolinmendelsohn]

@@timdoherty101 Hi Tim, You may well be right. We may not be ready for this idea yet. Another alternative is for addicted kids to take nicotine gum or lozenges to get them through the school day. That may be more acceptable.

[@timdoherty101]

@@drcolinmendelsohn Yes, I think that is an easier sell, if not necessarily the better solution. NRTs haven't been subjected to the same propaganda driven moral panic as vaping.

[@PhasmalForge]

The fact that vaping has eased my anxiety and caused a decline in my own seizure activity is a great thing and vaping should be legal.

[@irinikoussi2755]

Thank you 🙏👍

[@Ubi_Qui]

It's like the interlocuters were looking to advance a pre-decided agenda regardless of the evidence. But fingers crossed you were heard. Cheers mate.

[@Mistr-Lahey]

This doctor got the patience of a saint dealing with these flops

[@CDubya.82]

Bravo Sir!

[@mickrigs8597]

Good one Dr!!! You came back at their myths very well. The guy behind you to the left was really pissing me off though 😂😂😂😂

[@MedicalW420]

The only thing vaping can come back with is by changing the subject, so what is the harm from vaping? Well you know funny thing about tobacco and coffee 😂

[@dtd1986]

A close friend of mine was addicted to vaping and died last year after both of his lungs collapsed. He was 38 years old. This vapour is not supposed to be inhaled into the lungs. This is definitely not the only incident of its kind.

[@drcolinmendelsohn]

Was he vaping nicotine? Had he previously been a smoker? Did he have other lung disease? Why do you think it was caused by vaping? I am asking because no one has ever died from vaping nicotine and often it is blamed when there are other explanations.

[@kylie-annekennerley7879]

They are so focussed on black market disposables, without understanding that what Dr Colin & ALL adult vapers are talking about when we talk about regulation is proper legal nicotine delivery devices. We can go to any store & purchase tobacco, we should be able to purchase devices/eliquid that is regulated in the same manner. We don't agree with black market disposables but it's the govts ridiculous prohibition style antics that have caused the black market explosion AND they were warned by the Vaping Industry (who btw have self regulated under age for years)🙄

[@Ferral_Racoon]

And yet they have passed a new law as of 1st July 2024 that makes it more difficult for us to get vapes

[@matts2758]

It's weird they characterise you as an outlier in your views but they seem pretty reasonable to me and present a strong case for regulation. I think there's a lot of conflation between cigarettes and vaping when they are two different topics altogether. Nicotine in isolation does not have the same reenforcing potential as nicotine in tobacco. Tobacco has MAO inhibitors which prolong the effect of the nicotine. Regulation also gives you control over nicotine dosage too which can let people make better decisions about use.

[@VapeAu]

Yes they are two different topics which is why I look at vapes like it's the only thing to exist. It doesn't matter how bad tobacco is because it's not that, when the harm of vapes is said people need to stop defending with tobacco as a response and work towards improving E LIQUID. But unfortunately most the vaping community are the biggest tobacco lovers I know, when you hate you get just as addictive as love. Don't let hate win what you love

[@charlesyateschalfant]

The members of this panel are completely ignorant of the facts. Unfortunately, this is the norm. I also smell a rat, but I shall not elaborate. Dr Mendelsohn provided the facts, they need to listen and act accordingly.

[@MedicalW420]

Dr Collins is a tobacco expert not a vaping expert

[@Nightage-cz1gv]

Dr vaping increase oxidative stress 4 times what to do with that ?

[@strangenameforaband342]

Where did you get that from?

[@Nightage-cz1gv]

@@strangenameforaband342 did you get it and what is your feed back about it ???

[@strangenameforaband342]

@@Nightage-cz1gv No I don't see another reply and didn't get a notification.

[@Nightage-cz1gv]

@@strangenameforaband342 KZbin is deleting the link

[@toriwatson9655]

Imagine if caffeine, which is enjoyed safely by millions and millions of people every day, needed to be consumed by inhaling smoke and tar, and the smoke and tar ended up killing many people after years of use. Then caffeine would be seen as a terrible substance. I think the problem we have is that these people are seeing nicotine as the killer, as a deadly drug. Yes it is addictive like caffeine, but we know now that it is not nicotine that causes all the health problems, it has been the way it has been consumed, by inhaling smoke and tar into the lungs. Thank you Dr Colin for trying to talk some sense to these people. As you tried to tell them, nicotine really hasn't been shown to cause any significant harm on it's own, you clearly stated long term smokers have not been shown at all to have any problems with cognitive function, IQ etc, physically they are not so good from the smoke and tar, but the nicotine has done no harm to the brain, and obviously didn't effect the adolescent brain, as so many started smoking in their teens. Nicotine is just so closely associated with smoking which is the killer. Because vaping looks like smoking, people can't seem to believe that it is a hugely safer way to consume nicotine. It is interesting that the government is also discouraging nicotine pouches, which contain no tobacco and don't enter the lungs! Pouches would have to be the safest way to take nicotine. I can see how the government mantra is moving toward nicotine harm, I think they are realizing there are safer ways to take nicotine so they will now say the nicotine is the cause of harm, and this is easy to sell as it has such a bad reputation due to previously being mostly consumed by burning tobacco. It is interesting that in the UK, The Royal Society for Public Health, have attempted to educate the public about nicotine "Alarmingly RSPH research reveals that 90% of the public still regard nicotine itself as harmful" ......... "addiction to a substance which in and of itself is not too dissimilar to caffeine addiction.” A far cry from the Australian government's un-scientific scaremongering. We again have to ask the question of government revenue addiction. When the government receives 65% tax from every pack of cigarettes, do they really want all smokers to use safer alternatives? I really believe more politicians need to have a science background, too many with Law and financial backgrounds. I doubt barely any of them will ever spend some time delving into scientific study results. I'm actually surprised they let you speak at this inquiry, they usually only invite their hand picked anti-vape 'experts'.

[@MedicalW420]

Imagine changing the subject when someone just wants vaping facts, tobacco, caffeine, fast food WTF where is the vaping? That's why no one listens to your bs

[@draganmiletic940]

Vaping rooms at schools? I hope that the media does not get this. I know it was well meant, but in this atmosphere? Great job otherwise. Colin vs. the rest.

[@drcolinmendelsohn]

I know its provocative, but is the only workable solution to a disturbing problem, in my opinion. Read the article i wrote about this and tell me what you think: educationhq.com/news/fresh-approach-a-pragmatic-7-point-plan-to-address-vaping-in-schools-153684/

[@draganmiletic940]

@drcolinmendelsohn I read the article. And fully agree with it. But a YT post does not have enough space to discuss this. Vaping is so diverse, and that was and is a problem when talking about vaping because it means something to me but something totally different to someone else. It appears to me that hardly anyone knows that vapes that have flooded the market are illegal. Anyway. Youth Vaping. I am considered a cool dad because I chuck those big clouds and do not judge and lecture kids about their vaping. So they talk to me all the time about their vaping. From my perspective, it is far more common than us vapers want to admit, but far less than the media paints it. Once the media finds something else to scream and scare the parents and the society with the dangerous and outrageous behaviour of the kids. The youth vaping problem will disappear. Same as the underage drinking problem, teenage body piercing, party drugs, or drugs in general. Out of sight, out of mind. In regards to school programs that would "educate" kids about the dangers of vaping, I fear that it will fail and have the opposite effect. Same as Nancy's Reagan "Say no to drugs" campaign in the 80s, that spectacularly back fired. No school will permit to have designated vaping area, out of purely political reasons, where the parents would scream at the school for exposing their children to this "fillty" habit. And the school would have to admit that they have no authority. Eventually, this youth vaping drama will disappear from the spotlight, and something else will appear. I know that your approach is rational and pragmatic, but humans are not in most cases. Us, adults, will eventually switch to either black market vapes or go back to smoking. What annoys me personally in a big way is that the industry is so quiet about this general push against vaping in the Western world, like it has nothing to do with them. But that is another topic altogether

[@drcolinmendelsohn]

@@draganmiletic940 Thanks for those comments Dragan. I agree youth vaping is another teen fad. We are seeing rates fall now in the US (dramatically) and in Canada, and levelling out in New Zealand. The moral panic is totally disproportionate to the actual harm, which is far less than many of the other youth risk-taking activities. I agree that education programs are unlikely to have much effect. They don't work well for smoking. Why should they work for vaping? Peer group pressure and curiosity are far stronger. I agree that schools are not ready for my suggestion in the current hysterical environment. Once things calm down it may be considered. One school is doing it with success: www.couriermail.com.au/queensland-education/qld-special-school-arethusa-college-allows-students-to-take-smoke-vaping-breaks/news-story/af36f5c9f8487650a4c13dbd381c2f27 Happy to send the article to anyone who wants it.

[@thecoilman]

SUMMARY OF THE VIDEO FOR YOUR CONVENIENCE: 🇦🇺 The State of Vaping in Australia: Struggles with Prohibition: Vaping in Australia is heavily restricted, leading to over 90% of users not complying with regulations. This has resulted in a thriving black market dominated by criminal gangs. Health and Public Policy: The prohibition has unintentionally made it easier for young people to access unregulated products and harder for smokers to find legal vaping products to aid in quitting smoking. 🚨 Concerns Over Youth Access and Harm: Balancing Risks and Benefits: The debate focuses on balancing the small potential harms of vaping to young people against its substantial benefits in reducing smoking-related death and disease. Regulatory Suggestions: Proposals include making vapes available at licensed retail outlets with strict age verification, similar to cigarettes and alcohol, to combat the black market and regulate quality. 📉 Impact on Public Health: Reduction in Smoking: Studies indicate that vaping can have a positive effect on public health by reducing smoking rates. Vaping is seen as a less harmful alternative to smoking, which is a significant cause of death. 📚 Addressing Misconceptions and Enforcement Challenges: Failure of the War on Drugs: The comparison is made to the failure of drug prohibitions generally, suggesting that a regulated market could more effectively reduce black market activity than enforcement alone. Educational and Regulatory Challenges: The discussion includes the complexities of regulating such a market and the educational efforts needed to properly inform both the public and healthcare professionals about the risks and benefits of vaping. Insights based on numbers: 90% Non-compliance: Highlighting the widespread disregard for current vaping regulations due to their prohibitive nature. Public Health Benefits: Emphasized by numerous studies showing the overall positive impact of vaping on reducing smoking rates.