Tobacco Asia

64 tobaccoasia CLOSING NEWS 卷尾新闻 Older Australians Turn to Cannabis as Cigarette Prices Soar' Recent research shows that older Australians who smoke cigarettes are increasingly turning to cannabis as a substitute due to the rising cost of tobacco, reports news.com.au. Since the federal government began raising tobacco taxes biannually, the price of cigarettes has skyrocketed—from just a few dollars in the 1990s to around A$70 for a pack of 25 today. This makes Australia the most expensive country in the world for cigarette purchases. The tax hikes were initially introduced as a way to encourage smoking cessation, with studies suggest- ing that the cost of smoking motivates many to quit. However, new findings from Curtin University's School of Accounting, Economics, and Finance reveal a different trend. The research, which examined the buying habits of approximately 100,000 Australians between 2001 and 2019 using data from the Australian National Drug Strategy Household Survey, found that older smokers (aged over 50) increased their cannabis use as cigarette prices rose. Interest- ingly, younger Australians (under 40) reduced their cannabis use in response to the price hikes, with no significant change among those aged 40 to 50. The study found that a 10% increase in tobacco prices could lead to about 68,000 Australians over 50 either trying cannabis for the first time or using it more frequently as an alternative to tobacco. Professor Mark Harris, the study's lead author, noted that the results were surprising, given that cannabis and tobacco are typically consumed together. "In economic terms, if they're consumed together and it becomes more expensive to buy tobacco, you'd expect cannabis consumption to also fall," he said. "But what we've found is the relationships between the drugs, and the way people use them, potentially changes with the age of a consumer: cannabis can change from a comple- ment of tobacco, to a replacement." 'Zombie Cigarette' Drug Seized Authorities have reported the confiscation of 135 kilograms of etomidate, a Category II narcotic frequently used with e-ciga- rette (vaping) devices, marking the largest single seizure of this recreational substance in Taiwan's history. During a recent press briefing, the National Police Agency disclosed that they detected a suspicious consignment at Kaohsiung International Airport using x-ray technology, uncovering 27 bags of etomidate powder concealed within. Law enforcement traced and arrested the intended recipient of the shipment in the Renwu District of Kaohsiung. Prosecutors stated at the same press conference that the seized etomidate shipment—a short-acting medical anesthetic that has increasingly been misused as a recreational drug in recent years—could potentially yield 1.35 million "zombie cigarettes," with an estimated street value of NT$2.7 billion (approximately US$81 million). At the time of the confiscation, etomidate was classified as a Category III drug. However, due to its involvement in fatal traffic incidents, the Ministry of Justice reclassified it as a more serious Category II narcotic on November 14, 2024. Under the Narcotics Hazard Prevention Act, individuals found guilty of using Category II narcotics—which currently encompass etomidate, marijuana, and fentanyl—face a maximum penalty of three years in prison. Gov't to Crack Down on Vapes, Illicit Tobacco According to the Queensland government, criminal organiza- tions are now participating in the distribution of illegal tobacco and unauthorized vapes, despite multiple police operations targeting this issue. Health minister Tim Nicholls reported that approximately 350-400 retail outlets, some of which are "repeat offenders," are currently being monitored by Queensland Health. He noted that since the start of the financial year, authorities in Queensland have confiscated 8.7 million illicit cigarettes, 2.6 tons of loose tobacco, nearly 44,500 illegal vapes, and 21,000 nicotine patches. He's been in discussions with the attorney-general "to discuss what we can do" to crackdown on the illegal trade. "At the moment, the maximum fine that can be issued on the spot by one of our officers is just over AU$3,200, and the maximum for a corporation is just over $10,000," Nicholls said. "At the rate that they're selling these vapes and illicit tobacco, that is just a drop in the ocean." Labor's Shannon Fentiman argued the LNP "can increase the regulations today if they wanted to". "Talking about maybe doing it and talking to your colleague is not newsworthy," Fentiman said. Sellers Scramble for Loopholes Latvia's initiative to enforce stricter regulations on the sale of tobacco items and their alternatives is prompting businesses in the Baltic nation to search for loopholes to bypass the legisla- tion. Effective from January 2025, tobacco products—includ- ing disposable vapes, refillable e-cigarettes, and nicotine pouch- es—will be prohibited from being sold to individuals under the age of 20. The new legislation also mandates that vaping products must be available either without flavor or exclusively with the taste and aroma of tobacco. Additionally, the permis- sible nicotine content in nicotine pouches will be reduced. An investigation by Latvian public television, Latvijas Televīzija, uncovered that companies previously involved in selling refill cartridges are seeking methods to continue offering the same products prior to the law's enforcement in January. For example, the broadcaster discovered that one Older smokers in Australia are turning to cannabis more than their younger counterparts as cigarettes get more expensive. Credit: Elsa Olofsson, Pexels.

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