Health minister says state ‘stepping up’ where fed govt failed on new vape reforms

In an effort to stamp out vaping among young people, the state’s health minister says it’s “stepping up where the federal government had failed”. Here's what’s planned.

Minister Guy Barnett. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

Vapes will be banned for young people under the age of 18 and only sold through pharmacies in new nation-leading legislation to be drafted and introduced to Tasmanian parliament in the coming weeks.

New reforms designed to stamp out vaping will ban the sale of vape products for people under 18 years, with or without a prescription as well as ensuring e-cigarettes can only be supplied by pharmacies to those with a prescription.

It comes after state and territories provided their unanimous support in April this year for federal legislation before Australian parliament that would force vape stores to close by preventing the domestic manufacture, advertisement, supply and commercial possession of non-prescription vapes.

Minister for Health Guy Barnett said however that the state government was “stepping up” where the federal government had failed to protect the community from the harms of vaping.

Health Minister Guy Barnett. Picture: Stephanie Dalton

“Under our 2030 Strong Plan for Tasmania’s Future, we want Tasmania to be the healthiest and happiest place it can possibly be, and these strong reforms to stamp out vaping is another important step to achieving this,” he said.

“It is abundantly clear that the federal government’s watered-down vaping reforms do not go far enough to protect our children and young people.

“They also effectively turn pharmacies into vape shops, with limited clinical oversight.

“We do not agree with the Federal Government’s legislation, and we are taking action to resolve it.”

Quitline Team Leader Sue Hearn, Quitline Counsellor Wendy Atkinson and Quit Tasmania Director Abby Smith. Picture: Chris Kidd

In Victoria, the sale of vapes or vaping products is prohibited to those under the age of 18, including prescriptions through a chemist.

New South Wales currently has bans on the sale of vapes or e-cigarettes to people under 18 years of age that contain nicotine, with e-cigarettes that do not contain nicotine legal to sell to anyone.

Mr Barnett said the government had worked closely with relevant stakeholders who were seeing the impacts of vaping on local communities.

The reforms will complement existing initiatives aimed at helping people to quit smoking.

“We are continuing to work with QUIT Tasmania to provide more education and support for people who want to reduce or quit smoking and vaping, and our new vaping, e-learning package has been rolled out across all schools in Tasmania,” he said.

“Our multifaceted approach to stamp out vaping is both reducing access and increasing education to prevent the update, with the community to benefit as a result.”

Originally published as Health minister says state ‘stepping up’ where fed govt failed on new vape reforms