Adults buying vapes at pharmacies in Australia will still need a prescription, until October 1. Photo credit: Vaper City, CC4.0.
The Albanese government will water down its proposed world-first vaping ban after the Green party's opposition led the government to amend the bill.
The government revised its initial plan that would have required adults to have a prescription to purchase a vape. The Green party’s amendments to the legislation will allow access to vapes as a medical product without a prescription. They also include an eight-month amnesty period to prevent criminalizing users.
Starting July 1, supplying, manufacturing, importing, or selling vapes is prohibited outside of pharmacies. Vapes containing nicotine can only be legally sold by pharmacies to individuals with a prescription from their doctor. Vapes cannot be sold to individuals under 18 unless they have a doctor's prescription.
Starting October 1, pharmacies will be able to sell vapes containing nicotine to anyone over 18, without the need for a medical prescription. This change will occur as vapes containing nicotine are reclassified from schedule 4 to schedule 3 of the poisons standard.
Flavored vapes and those in colorful packaging will remain prohibited. Only plain-packaged products in mint or menthol flavors, as well as tobacco, will be permitted. Personal details of vape buyers will not be recorded, but identification will be required upon purchase. Furthermore, there will be limits on the nicotine concentration of available products.
The Greens said that the government’s initial plan, which required a GP appointment and prescription for vaping products, would have created prohibitive costs for some users and potentially pushed them to the black market. The party’s health spokesperson, Jordon Steele-John, voiced concerns about taking a “prohibition” approach to vaping products.
"These laws protect young Australians and the broader community from the harms of recreational vaping, while ensuring that those who really need access to a therapeutic vape for help to quit smoking can get one from their local pharmacy," health minister Mark Butler said.