On 27 March 2024 the Senate referred the provisions of the Therapeutic Goods and Other Legislation Amendment (Vaping Reforms) Bill 2024 to the Community Affairs Legislation Committee for inquiry and report by 8 May 2024.

Submissions are sought by 12 April 2024.

Handling of evidence in accordance with Article 5.3 of the Word Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control

Evidence to the inquiry will be handled in accordance with the committee’s obligations under Article 5.3 of the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, which requires public officials to protect its public health policies from commercial and other vested interests of the tobacco industry. The Guidelines for implementation of Article 5.3 require the committee to deal with the tobacco industry, and those seeking to further its interests, in a transparent and accountable manner.
As such, the committee will not be accepting requests for confidentiality in relation to whole, or parts of submissions to this inquiry. The names of individuals (including officers of an organisation or company) can be redacted in accordance with usual committee processes. Further, in terms of hearings, committee will not be accepting requests to facilitate ‘in camera’ evidence. At hearings, the committee will require witnesses to disclose any support they have received, whether financial or non-financial, direct or indirect, from any parties involved in the production, distribution or sale of tobacco, nicotine or vaping products.