Vaping as a form of recreation is technically being banned.
Vaping laws in Australia are under the microscope as the government tackles what it has called “the biggest loophole in Australian healthcare history.”
But the latest twist in the ongoing plan, announced last year, has seen changes to the plans.
Here’s what the new rules are, now the Therapeutic Goods and Other Legislation Amendment (Vaping Reforms) Bill 2024 has passed.
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Is vaping banned in Australia?
Vaping as a form of recreation is technically being banned.
Vapes are still available to people who want to use them to stop smoking.
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From Monday, access to vapes to help stop smoking will be by prescription, but from October prescriptions will be scrapped.
They will then be able to be sold by pharmacists to over 18s and will be in plain packaging in plain flavours.
This is a change to the original plans to maintain prescription-only supplies.
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From March 1, 2024, it has been illegal to import disposable vapes, irrespective of the amount of nicotine they contain.
That includes people buying vapes overseas and having them shipped to Australia for their own use.
The colourful vapes which attract young people and have been sold at vape shops are not supposed to contain nicotine.
But studies have shown they often do.
Vapes are also being blamed for a steep rise in teen smoking.
Health bosses say while the new plan is not perfect, it will stop around 1000 young Aussies starting to vape each week.
How do I get a prescription for a vape in Australia?
GPs can prescribe prescriptions for vapes, and pharmacists are allowed to fill prescriptions.
From October no prescription will be needed however, but the only place to buy them will be at a pharmacy.
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Pharmacists are not happy about this, and have called the watered down rules, “insulting,”
“There is limited evidence to support the use of vaping products for smoking cessation and nicotine dependence,” the Pharmacy Guild of Australia said.
They also say they’re worried abut possible attacks on their shops.
Victoria has seen multiple shops targeted amid tobacco wars.
GP bosses support the plans, but say they’re “not perfect.”
Fears have been raised that vaping will be pushed onto the black market.
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