Dr. Walker questions the impact of vaping regulations on medicinal users, particularly those with epilepsy, seeking exemptions for public use. The Minister reaffirms no intended impact but denies public use exemptions, clarifying existing laws.

AnsweredQoN 494Legislative Council
Asked
15 May 2024
Portfolio
Health

QuestionView source ↗

VAPES —
MEDICINAL USE
494. Hon Dr BRIAN WALKER to the parliamentary secretary
representing the Minister for Health:
I refer the minister to calls by
advocates in the eastern states for exemptions that would allow those who have
been prescribed medicinal vapes, particularly those with epilepsy or other
swift-onset conditions, to vape in what would otherwise be non-smoking areas.
(1) Does the minister stand by the response she gave to
my question 564 in June 2022, in which she reassured me that there would
be no anticipated impact on medicinal vapes under the government's new
regulatory scheme?
(2) Will the
government consider an exemption here in Western Australia to allow properly
prescribed, legal vapes to be used in public spaces as needed?
(3) If no to (1),
are the new laws not already having a clear and detrimental impact upon
vulnerable patients in our community, and what does the minister propose to do
to counter that?

AnswerView source ↗

I thank the honourable member for
some notice of the question. The following has been provided by the Minister
for Health.
(1) Yes.
(2) No.
(3) Western Australian
law does not currently prohibit the use of any therapeutic device to treat a medical
condition in a public place.

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