In the two years since Voluntary Assisted Dying (VAD) laws were introduced in Tasmania, 87 people have chosen to end their lives using the legislation.
According to the Voluntary Assisted Dying Commission’s annual report, the number of people accessing VAD has been steadily increasing since October 2022.
The report reveals that the median age of those using VAD is 74, with the youngest person being 45-years-old.
Most individuals who have used the legislation have a cancer diagnosis, with neurodegenerative and respiratory diseases being the next most common.
The report highlights the complexity of the process, with a median of 32 days between a person’s first request and their death after the administration of the VAD substance.
“The number of Tasmanians choosing to access voluntary assisted dying has steadily increased during the reporting period,” Executive Commissioner Louise Mollross said.
“The voluntary assisted dying process is deliberative and can be complex for participants and their families, friends and other supports to navigate.”
