Australia: States and territories unite to support federal bill to ban non-prescription vapes

Australian state and territory governments are backing federal legislation being introduced in Parliament that, if passed, will force specialist vaping businesses to close by banning the importation, manufacture and sale of e-cigarettes without a prescription and outside of pharmacies nationwide.

The bill is currently being debated at the federal government level and is expected to be passed on March 1^er next July. Health ministers across the country support the proposal[1], arguing that vaping products are being used as a tool to recruit new consumers, particularly young people. According to the ministers’ statement, one in six high school students and one in four young Australians aged 18 to 24 are regular users of vaping products.

E-cigarettes are creating a new generation of nicotine users

The Australian Medics Association (AMA), the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP), the Cancer Council, the Australian Council on Smoking & Health (ACOSH), the Thoracic Society of Australia and New Zealand, the Public Health Association and many other organisations support legislation to ban the sale of vaping products without a prescription. This would make vapes available only on prescription and sold in pharmacies, with flavours limited to mint, menthol and tobacco.

Health officials point out that instead of helping smokers kick their tobacco addiction, these products are essentially creating a whole new generation of nicotine users. They note in their statement that "It is now clear that vapes are being used to recruit a new generation of nicotine users, and it is working "For them, if vapes are therapeutic products that can help adult smokers quit smoking, then it is entirely appropriate given the nature of these products that Australia regulates them as therapeutic products, medicines and does not allow them to be sold in any convenience store.

In their joint statement, the organisations said there are a range of measures in place at national level to help people quit smoking, including programmes run by state and territory health departments. They highlighted the online quitline service, stressing that nicotine replacement therapy is widely available and that smoking cessation products are funded by the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme. They also said that the use of vaping products is regulated and is only available to adult smokers.

Australian health ministers are finally encouraging vapers to consult their doctor or other qualified health professional about options for stopping these products or managing their nicotine addiction.

Keywords: Australia, vaping, e-cigarette, pharmacies, prescription, nicotine

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[1] Statement, Joint Statement from all Australian Health Ministers - 19 April 2024, Ministers Department of Health and Aged Care