Fiona Nash (NSW, National Party, Deputy Leader of the Nationals) Share this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Leyonhjelm for his question and for the advance notice of it, and I note his ongoing interest in this area. The senator is indeed correct that currently e-cigarettes containing nicotine are not available for commercial sale in Australia. This is as a result of the current national and state and territory laws.

The TGA Act, as I am sure the senator knows very well, and its associated regulations provide the national regulatory controls to ensure the timely availability of the therapeutic goods that have been assessed for quality, safety and efficacy to help people quit smoking. I can advise the chamber that e-cigarettes have yet to be approved through this process. As I understand it, the TGA is currently considering an application. I note the senator's reference to 'ongoing review', but I think even he would understand that the TGA processes are there for a reason—to ensure the safety and efficacy of these products, medicines and medical devices. That application is currently before the TGA. I think people across this country do expect a level of robustness when it comes to determining the safety and efficacy of products such as these.

In relation to the attendance of companies involved in e-cigarettes at the framework, the invitations, as I understand it, are a matter for the secretariat of the FCTC.