New research has unveiled that voters in Dunkley, Australia, are demanding decisive action regarding the Black Market Vaping Crisis.
Commissioned by the Australian Association of Convenience Stores (AACS), a recent survey highlights that Dunkley voters overwhelmingly advocate for stringent regulations on vaping products, similar to those governing alcohol and tobacco. Moreover, they are willing to factor this issue into their voting decisions.
Key findings from the survey of 601 Dunkley voters, conducted between February 9th and 12th, showed that 81 percent of respondents support strict regulation of nicotine vaping products, restricting their sale to licensed retail outlets and individuals aged 18 and above, mirroring the regulations for alcohol and tobacco. Eighteen percent of voters indicated a strong likelihood of supporting a political party advocating for robust vaping regulations similar to those for alcohol and tobacco. In contrast, only two percent are inclined to oppose such policies. Seventy-three percent of all voters lack confidence in the effectiveness of the Australian Government's prescription-only vaping policy and its ban on recreational vaping.
Theo Foukkare, CEO of AACS, emphasised that Dunkley voters are expressing frustration with the escalating rates of youth vaping, the flourishing black market, and the consequent incidents of violence. He asserts that these sentiments echo broader public opinion nationwide, where the majority advocate for stringent controls on vaping products, paralleling the regulations for alcohol and tobacco.
Foukkare said there was a lack of confidence among Dunkley voters in the government's approach, particularly Health Minister Mark Butler's plan to reinforce the prescription-only model, which is perceived as exacerbating the black-market crisis.
Foukkare suggested that the government's current stance exacerbates the youth vaping crisis and associated criminal activities, jeopardising support for the Labour Party in Dunkley.
The survey, conducted in February 2024, utilised a combination of telephone interviews (CATI), face-to-face interactions, and online responses to ensure comprehensive coverage. With a sample size of n=601, the survey accurately represents the local electorate with a margin of error of +/-4 percent. Quotas and weightings were applied to ensure demographic diversity based on gender, age, education, postcode, and household income.
