Vaping imports to Australia will be banned to limit teenage use

Liquid nicotine smoke used in vapes will be banned from next year, as the government seeks to stop teens taking up the habit.

Australia will ban imports of liquid nicotine used for vaping without a doctor’s prescription next year in a bid to prevent teenagers taking up pathways to smoking.

The Therapeutic Goods Administration on Monday announced its final position on e-cigarettes containing nicotine, stating the import and possession of products would be illegal unless properly ­prescribed by a GP from ­October 2021.

In response to the TGA ruling, the federal government has announced a range of new measures to support smokers to quit and deter young Australians from taking it up.

Australia is moving to limit vaping by teenagers. Picture: Eva Hambach/AFP

Health Minister Greg Hunt said the government would spend an additional $1 million for an education campaign ­focused on quitting smoking and also develop a Telehealth Smoking Cessation plan in the six months prior to the import ban to ensure smokers have access to medical help.

GPs are still able to prescribe e-cigarettes containing nicotine to patients who can then personally import the products.

Doctors will also be able to register with the TGA to ­become an “Authorised Prescriber” and issue prescriptions that can be filled at a local pharmacy.

More than half a million Australians currently vape and about 2.4 million have tried it, according to the latest national drugs survey. Mr Hunt said smoking cessation guidelines state e-cigarettes are not the “first line of treatment” for smokers trying to quit.

“However, for people who have tried to achieve smoking cessation with approved pharmacotherapies but failed, and who are still motivated to quit and have brought up e-cigarette usage with their healthcare practitioner, nicotine containing e-cigarettes may be a reasonable intervention to recommend,” he said.

“Where appropriate, consumers will be able to continue using nicotine e-cigarettes as a smoking cessation aid based on their doctor’s advice.’’

Mr Hunt said the TGA’s decision also aligned with advice from Australia’s medical experts, including the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC), which has warned of the health dangers of e-cigarettes.

Originally published as Vaping imports to Australia will be banned to limit teenage use