IS AUSTRALIA BANNING VAPING?
Like many other countries around the world, Australia has taken steps to reduce smoking as part of its national tobacco strategy. However, vaping is now also becoming more tightly controlled, which is causing concern from many about the effects it may have on people who are using vaping as an alternative to smoking.
Below, we discuss these new restrictions and the concerns that exist for people choosing vapes as an alternative to traditional tobacco products.
Reasons Behind the Government’s Decision
The decision to tighten vaping laws stems from multiple public health concerns. Although it is generally considered less harmful than traditional smoking, vaping still carries health risks, particularly when it involves nicotine.
Additionally, there has been an alarming increase in vaping among teenagers and young adults, raising concerns about a new generation becoming addicted to nicotine. The government’s ultimate aim is to get ahead of this trend by making it more difficult for younger individuals to access vaping products.
New Vaping Legislation
So, what is the new legislation?
·The manufacture, commercial possession and sale of non-therapeutic and disposable vapes are banned, regardless of whether they contain nicotine content or not.
·Vapes for smoking cessation or nicotine dependence management remain available at pharmacies. However, patients will require a prescription from a medical or nurse practitioner to purchase a nicotine vape and access nicotine-free vapes.
·All advertising across all media platforms, including social media, promoting vapes will be banned unless specifically authorised.
·A new offence and civil penalties for the unlawful importation, manufacture, supply, advertisement and commercial possession of vapes.
·Enforcement agencies now have greater powers to investigate non-compliance, seize unlawful goods and share information with other compliance bodies across the Commonwealth and states.
·Therapeutic vape flavours are now limited to mint, menthol and tobacco, ending all transitional arrangements for other flavours.
·The maximum nicotine concentration limit is 100 mg/ml
From the 1st October 2024
·Therapeutic vapes with up to 20 mg/mL nicotine can be sold over the counter at pharmacies to adults 18+ if deemed appropriate by a pharmacist, and identification will need to be shown.
·Therapeutic vapes for patients under 18 or vapes with nicotine over 20 mg/mL will continue to be accessible with a prescription. This is subject to state and territory laws, where supplying vapes to minors is prohibited.
What do these Stricter Controls Mean?
The government has received mixed responses to the new legislation in Australia, with both supporters and critics voicing strong opinions. By making nicotine vaping products harder to obtain, especially for the younger generation, the government hopes to reduce the rates of nicotine addiction and protect public health issues associated with vaping long-term.
The prescription model ensures that vaping products are used under medical supervision. Not only does this help in smoking cessation efforts, but it can also allow for better monitoring of purchases.
However, contrary to this, it also makes it harder for people to obtain vaping products in the first instance.
Some individuals may not want the hassle of getting a prescription. Instead, they may return to traditional tobacco products, which will be available in a wider choice of retailers. Even though cigarettes have been targeted for higher prices, someone who is seeking to quit tobacco may be deterred from the benefit of doing so through vaping.
Stricter import controls will help prevent the large number of unregulated and potentially dangerous vaping products travelling into Australia. This reduces the risk of consumers being exposed to harmful substances that may be present in unlawful products. However, it may also drive a black market where potentially more dangerous products could be purchased. For retailers that sell vaping products, they may now face a loss in business.
For people who turn to vaping, the choice of flavours is sometimes the attraction. With only three flavours to choose from under the new legislation, fewer people may be willing to try vaping as an alternative to smoking.
UK’s Potential E-Liquid Flavour Restrictions and Legislation
In the UK, the government could be planning to ban certain e-liquid flavours, including popular fruit and candy options, to curb vaping among the youth. This move would target nicotine addiction in adolescents but sparks debates about adult vapers’ freedom to choose and the impact on smoking cessation. If flavours are reduced, the need for high-quality vaping products, such as those using naturally extracted tobacco e-liquid, will become more critical.
The Debate Continues
Overall, whilst stringent steps are being taken to protect public health, care needs to be taken to ensure that what seems like positive effects in the first instance don’t turn out to be consequential. Due to the addictive effect of nicotine, people need a way to transition from cancer-causing and polluting cigarettes without being deterred from doing so.