Nicotine e-cigarette regulations will be tightened from 1 October 2021 meaning Australians will require a valid prescription to purchase nicotine e-cigarette products both via a registered pharmacist and from an online supplier.
As schools across the country grapple with vape usage among students, Lung Foundation Australia CEO Mark Brooke says the move is one step in the right direction to limit access to these products as last-line smoking cessation only.
“We are not, in any way, seeking to demonise or downplay how difficult it is to quit tobacco and nicotine-based products. However, it’s important that Australians are aware that nicotine e-cigarettes remain unapproved as a smoking cessation tool. This means they have not been proven to be safe or effective.
“If you are trying to quit, we encourage you to have a conversation with their GP about your quit goals and the proven and approved methods available to support you on your journey.”
Lung Foundation Australia continues to raise serious concerns that the latest regulations for nicotine e-cigarettes will do little to curb the emerging crisis of recreational vaping among young people. While the 1 October changes aim to close a regulatory gap between Commonwealth and state and territory laws, Mr Brooke says the regulation of recreational vaping products remains a major concern.
“It’s crucial to distinguish between smoking cessation and recreational vaping, the latter of which is gripping young Australians. Rigorous processes need to be put in place to regulate the sale of flavoured e-cigarette products. Young people will continue to be able to access these so called ‘harmless’ products that are unregulated and unrestricted. This is despite research showing that many flavoured e-liquids contain a cocktail of toxic chemicals, including nicotine which is highly addictive and harmful to a developing brain.”
“We will continue to advocate for stronger regulations to protect the health of this next generation, and urge coordinated efforts by Commonwealth and state and territory governments to monitor and restrict sale of these dangerous products particularly to youth.”
Access resources and information for young people, parents and educations about the dangers of vaping, here.
For information about quitting smoking, visit our website here.
For media enquiries, please contact:
Paxton Roth, Senior Manager – Marketing & Communications
E: paxtonr@lungfoundation.com.au
Ph: 07 3251 3654