The Ethics of Vaping Policy
Angus Dawson1, Elizabeth Fenton2, Monique Jonas3, National University Of Singapore Singapore2, Dunedin 3, New Zeeland 1National University Of Singapore, Singapore Singapore2University of Otago, Dunedin New Zeeland3University of Auckland New Zeeland
Abstract
There is a surprising diversity of policy approaches to vaping across the world. The use of vaping (or e-cigarettes) has been promoted by some jurisdictions (e.g. UK) as a means to reduce smoking and smoking-related harms. Other jurisdictions have a range of different regulations that restrict access to vapes in different ways (e.g. Australia, NZ). Some have a complete ban (e.g. Singapore). This panel will consider, from three perspectives, the question: what are some of the ethical considerations that should inform the formulation of policy on vaping?
Monique Jonas will explore the ethical obligations of parents and caregivers of rangatahi/young people who vape, with a focus on how (in places such as NZ where it is illegal for those under 18 to purchase vapes) legal obligations, best interests considerations, and respect for a young person’s burgeoning autonomy may compete.
Elizabeth Fenton will critically examine the argument that vaping regulations impede the realisation of the right to health, by creating barriers to accessing harm reduction measures to which people are entitled under this right. Proponents of this argument claim that tobacco control overemphasises the negative right to freedom from harm over the positive right to pursue health through harm reduction.
Angus Dawson will discuss the application of different accounts of the nature of harm, as well as relevant concerns in weighing different kinds of harm against each other, and the role that these considerations do play, and should play, in vaping policy.
Biography
Angus Dawson is Professor of Bioethics at the Centre for Biomedical Ethics (CBmE) at the National University of Singapore. His research interests are in public health ethics, non-Western bioethics, and methods in bioethics. He frequently bores people talking about film cameras and photographic work in the darkroom.
Elizabeth Fenton is a lecturer in the Bioethics Centre at the University of Otago with a background in philosophy and public health. Her research focuses on ethical issues in public health, global health, and health policy.
Monique Jonas is an Associate Professor at the University of Auckland’s School of Population Health. Her research focuses on ethical issues in parental decision-making, the status of health advice and the ethics of advice-giving. This makes her sound like a boring academic, but don’t let that put you off.