Australia introduces new vape rules, limits nicotine vapes to pharmacies only
Australia makes pharmacies the only place to buy vapes (Illustrative photo: Getty Images)
Buying vapes in Australia has become more challenging due to new anti-vaping laws that limit the sale of nicotine vapes to pharmacies and require a doctor's prescription, CNN reports.
Pharmacies become the only legal vendors for nicotine vapes
As of Monday, Australian consumers must present a doctor's prescription to purchase nicotine vapes from pharmacies. The available flavors will be limited to mint, menthol, and tobacco.
This move marks one of the world’s most stringent anti-vaping regulations, as Australia bans vape sales in shops, service stations, and small retailers.
Health Minister Mark Butler praised the legislation, calling it an important step in protecting young Australians from the negative health consequences of vape smoking.
The law's passage required a political compromise: starting in October, only minors under 18 will need a prescription to purchase vapes.
Adults will be able to buy vapes from pharmacies without a prescription, but availability may remain limited. Some major pharmacy chains have already announced they will refuse to stock vapes for ethical reasons.
Anthony Tassone, the national vice president of the Pharmacy Guild of Australia, emphasized that pharmacies are healthcare spaces and should not distribute harmful and addictive products without medical guidance.
Concerns about the black market and increased cigarette use
The Australian Greens Party managed to secure an amendment allowing adults to purchase vapes without a prescription, arguing that the criminalization of vaping is ineffective. However, some experts fear that restricting access to vapes could lead to the growth of a black market.
Addiction specialist Hester Wilson expressed concerns that young vapers might turn to cigarettes, which are already highly taxed and expensive in Australia, to satisfy their nicotine cravings.
Interestingly, earlier this year, Belgium became the first EU country to completely ban the sale of disposable vapes. Authorities explained this move not only as a health protection measure but also as an effort to reduce environmental harm, as disposable e-cigarettes contain hazardous chemical waste.
Thus, countries around the world are increasingly introducing stricter vaping regulations in response to growing concerns about public health and the rising popularity of vaping among young people.
This material is for informational purposes only and should not be used for medical diagnosis or self-treatment. Our goal is to provide readers with accurate information about symptoms, causes, and methods of detecting diseases. RBС-Ukraine is not responsible for any diagnoses that readers may make based on materials from the resource. We do not recommend self-treatment and advise consulting a doctor in case of any health concerns.
