Erin Dale, is the first commissioner appointed in the world to solely target-e-cigarettes and illicit tobacco.



She states:

“We have to all come together in a coordinated approach to look at the seizure and disruption of these networks and also the health and environmental impacts on our country.” “This is a problem for everyone and one that can only be tackled together.”



https://www.itec.gov.au/



Working together



Teamwork is key to our work. We bring together people from government, law enforcement, health and local communities to work better together. This involves:

• regular communication
• sharing information
• building partnerships.

We focus on breaking down barriers and encouraging innovation to reach shared goals

Aligning strategy



A big part of our role is to create a national plan to stop illicit tobacco and e‑cigarettes. This plan will bring together efforts across all levels of government. It will be based on detailed research and input from different groups. The goal is to reduce smoking and vaping and to disrupt illegal supply chains.

Raising public awareness



We work to raise public awareness about the dangers of illicit tobacco and e‑cigarettes. We will run public campaigns and work with communities to help people make informed decisions and reduce demand for these products.

Giving advice to Government



As a trusted adviser, the ITEC Commissioner will give expert advice to the government on policy and laws. We work with government agencies to make sure any new laws or policies are effective and support our national goals.

Using data and sharing information



We help provide key data and information to stakeholders like government and law enforcement. This ensures a stronger response to illegal trade by:

• using data to guide decisions
• sharing important reports
• improving how resources are used
• strengthening enforcement strategies
• creating better policies and interventions.

Global partnerships



We build stronger relationships with international partners. This helps prevent illegal activities overseas and allows us to learn from other countries. By sharing knowledge and strategies, we improve how we tackle illicit tobacco and e‑cigarettes in Australia.





Topic 3- ‘



A Personal Story’ – from Elaine Walters OAM’s book: ‘Street Drugs, the New Addiction Industry’ – Essay 14



Dear Elaine,



A beloved member of my family began to use drugs around the age of 15. She saved lunch money, pocket money etc, and purchased small amounts of marijuana whenever she could. Occasionally, empty bottles of alcohol could be found in her room, in cupboards, behind beds – this is how it all started. After leaving home at 18, she added amphetamines to her list of ‘recreational drugs’.



Suddenly, one day she lost her mind. She could hear voices, believed that people were stealing her brain and seemed to be pursued by all kinds of terrors. This is a true story, and many young people are having similar experiences.



The beautiful relative of whom I speak is my daughter who is now in her early twenties. She was once highly intelligent and extremely beautiful and had an exciting future ahead. NOT ANYMORE!



She is now unable to care for herself. She doesn’t worry about how she looks, how she lives or what happens to her. She is unable to concentrate for maybe 15 minutes on any given subject and her only solace is drinking alcohol, for she is now afraid of other drugs. She needs to be constantly on medication. Five years have gone from her life, when her school friends have completed university education or gotten married and made families. She has no job, hardly any possessions and few friends and no motivation to help herself.



To those who wish to decriminalize the use of marijuana, I say: ‘You are ignorant of the extent of the damage being done to vulnerable children and of the pain being suffered subsequently by their families. To those who smilingly tell us that marijuana is a ‘harmless recreational drug’, I say: ‘The proof is in the pudding.” I know better.



From YN, NSW - Source: Pages 62 and 63 – ‘Street Drugs – The New Addiction Industry’