Anti-smoking lobby group Quit has slammed Philip Morris over plans to release a new electronic tobacco device in Australia, which is designed to dreastically reduce smoke.
The device, which is supposed to be around the size of a remote control, would apparently work by heating a tobacco cartridge to release chemicals – instead of burning it.
But Quit boss Fiona Sharkie says if Philip Morris are hoping they’ll be able to get around anti-smoking laws in pubs and restaurants with the contraption, they’ve got another thing coming.
“We need to really warn smokers to be very wary of any suggestion that it might be safer to use this product – because it isn’t – and that they can use it in areas where they can’t smoke now – because they can’t.”
The product will be launched at a specialist tobacco store in Melbourne’s Chapel Street, which Quit claims is used to lure young people.
The image shows the Crown7 NicStic (available in Asia) – which LIVENEWS.com.au assumes is similar to the product Philip Morris will be launching in Melbourne.