By Jackie Deng | 28 June 2024
Pharmacies will have to follow the new rules regarding the quality and packaging of vapes where they can only have certain amounts of nicotine and can only be mint, menthol or tobacco flavours.
Starting from 1 October 2024:
- Only pharmacies will be permitted to sell vapes with nicotine to people who are at least 18 years of age and they do not need a prescription from a doctor to purchase them but they do need to show identification such as a driver’s licence or a proof of age card.
- People who are under 18 years of age will need a prescription from a doctor to purchase vapes from a pharmacy.
- The packaging will be simple and there will only be three flavours to choose from: mint, menthol, or tobacco.
The bill was supported by many people in the medical and health industry based on research that showed it is important to stop young people from easily getting vapes to keep them healthy. At the same time, the changed bill is a definite improvement from the current situation.
The purpose of regulating vapes is the government’s initiative to make it difficult for young people to purchase vaping products for recreation and to also help adults who are trying to stop smoking.
On the other hand, this way of regulating vaping in Australia is the first of its kind in the world. The clear message is that vaping products cannot be sold for fun or enjoyment. Instead, they are to be sold as a carefully controlled treatment that can only be obtained with strict regulations.
The law does not make it a crime for people to use vapes, but it has strict punishments for those who sell illegal vapes. Any store caught selling vapes illegally starting from 1 July 2024 will have to pay a big fine and might even go to jail.
Associate Professor Becky Freeman from the Charles Perkins Centre and School of Public Health said:
“This legislation shows Australia has made decisive action in preventing vaping and protecting public health, especially for young people.”
Nicotine is a dangerous substance that is not allowed to be added to other products such as confectionaries or soft drinks and sold in stores. Some people who support vaping say that all vapes, even the ones with nicotine, should be sold in the same way as tobacco products. However, vapes with nicotine have never been allowed to be sold in regular stores like convenience stores, petrol stations, and tobacco shops.
Jackie Deng is currently studying a Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Agriculture at the University of New England. She is passionate about human rights, animals rights and the environment.