Ms Averil Power:

E-cigarette companies say that smokers are their target audience. If that is the case, why do they need mass marketing? People have to ask for cigarettes, so let them ask for a vaping product. It will still be accessible to them, so why does it need to be beside the sweets at the checkout? Why is that level of marketing to everyone needed? Their adverts do not tell people to use their products to quit tobacco. Rather, the adverts stress what a pleasurable experience vaping is, how nice the flavours are, how cool the technology is, etc. E-cigarette companies are not marketing e-cigarettes just to move people from smoking. Point-of-sale advertising is a key way in which they reach non-smokers and promote vaping as something that is cool, with a perception of it being risk free. The Chairman talked about people vaping in front of others. They genuinely believe that is okay. They have been persuaded by industry that it is safe and not bad for them, let alone others. The Chairman mentioned Johnny in the hospital. Johnny is just another victim of a disgusting and relentless industry that will say and do anything. It tries to promote as cool something that will lead people to cancer wards and spending their final days with an awful disease. It will say and do anything to make that possible.

Our responsibility as civil society organisations, public representatives or the Government is to make sure nobody else needs to have that experience and to protect young people from it. That is why we have been so encouraged by all the contributions made by members today. I am very optimistic the committee will show leadership on this and work with the Department to improve the legislation and make sure we protect children and young people from that relentless marketing and disinformation.