Canberra: Australia has implemented new vaping regulations, effective from Monday, which place e-cigarettes behind pharmacy counters in an effort to combat youth vaping. However, the government was compelled to backtrack on a stricter prohibition due to opposition, particularly from Greens senators concerned about access for smokers trying to quit and potential strain on the healthcare system.
Under the newly passed laws, vape sales will be restricted to pharmacies, and customers must consult with a pharmacist before purchasing. Individuals under 18 years old will require a medical prescription to obtain vapes.
Originally, the Labor party proposed limiting sales to those with medical prescriptions, but after negotiations, a compromise was reached. For the next three months, customers over 18 will need prescriptions until October, when this requirement will be reconsidered.
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“I think it doesn’t really make that much sense, especially if they’re going to be changing it again in October,” commented Sydney resident Sarah Harris to Reuters. “I think it’s just going to make people go for black market vapes or try to get vapes through their friends or online, or whatever the other routes of purchasing them are.”
The regulations are aimed at curbing youth vaping in Australia, where recent data showed about 22% of 18-24 year-olds have used e-cigarettes or vaping devices. Alongside restricting sales to pharmacies, the laws also cap nicotine concentrations in vapes and limit flavors to mint, menthol, or tobacco.
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Australia, known for stringent anti-smoking laws and high tobacco taxes, had already prohibited most vape imports earlier this year. Importers are now required to obtain licenses from the government drug control body.
Despite these measures, vapes remain accessible in small stores and are commonly found in pubs and bars. The government claims its enforcement efforts have led to the removal of hundreds of thousands of illegal vapes from circulation. In April, Health Minister Mark Butler reported that border police had confiscated over 1.5 million illegal vapes.
