Restrictions limiting vape purchase to those with a prescription remaining in place in Tasmania

Tasmania won’t be joining other states in easing restrictions on vapes and e-cigarettes, which one prominent organisation insists opens the door to black market sales. Here’s why.

A person hold a vape. Picture: NewsWire / Diego Fedele

On Tuesday, new vaping laws across most states and territories came into effect.

However, those rules will not apply in Tasmania along with Western Australia.

From October 1, certain e-cigarette products can be bought over the counter at pharmacies in other parts of Australia without a prescription.

“Despite changes elsewhere, Tasmania is retaining the current requirements for the buying and selling of e-cigarette products,” Public Health Director Mark Veitch said.

‘This means adults still require a doctor’s prescription to access e-cigarettes, e-liquid and vaping devices from a pharmacy in Tasmania.

“The sale of e-cigarettes, e-liquid and vaping devices to people aged less than 18 years remains prohibited in Tasmania.”

In July, Australia became the first country in the world to ban the sale of vapes outside of pharmacies and without a prescription.

However, to win the support of the Greens to pass the legislation, the federal government agreed to loosen restrictions around vaping.

Director of Public Health Mark Veitch speaks to the media at the Executive Building in Hobart on Thursday, February 1, 2024.

The Pharmacy Guild of Australia holds the view that vapes and e-cigarettes should only be available for those who have a prescription, with Tasmanian Branch President Joe O’Malley welcoming the state government for not implementing the new Commonwealth laws.

“No vaping product has been approved by the TGA based on its safety, efficacy or performance,” Mr O’Malley said.

“No vaping product is listed on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods.

“There is limited evidence to support the use of vaping products for smoking cessation and nicotine dependence.

“There is evidence that vaping has long-term patient harms, including cancer, lung-scarring and nicotine addiction.

“Community pharmacists are trained health professionals; as health professionals, we want to see the end of smoking and vaping.”

A Tasmanian government spokesperson said it made “no apologies for taking a nation-leading approach to protect our community, especially our children and young people, from the harms of vaping”.

“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 are another important step to achieving this.”

Tasmanian Small Business Council CEO Robert Mallett at Parliament lawn Hobart. Picture: Chris Kidd

But the state’s restrictions on vaping drew the ire of Tasmanian Small Business Council CEO Robert Mallett.

“The changes the government is seeking to legislate do nothing more than entrench the failing status quo, which is already seeing a thriving black market in vapes here,” Mr Mallett said.

“Worse, by making Tasmania the only place in the country where it is illegal to buy vapes without a prescription, we can expect to see an explosion in the vapes’ black market here.”

The state government spokesperson said there were already strong measures in place to prohibit the distribution and sale of illegal vapes and e-cigarettes.

Mr Mallett said Tasmania being the only state in Australia where it was illegal to buy or possess vapes was a “farcical situation”.

“Are tourists who have legally purchased vapes on the mainland, going to be forced to turn out their pockets at the airport?

“Will cars be searched at the TT Line terminal in Devonport to make sure that people haven’t smuggled a vape or two in that way?

“Perhaps the Biosecurity Tasmania beagles will be trained to sniff out vapes as well as fruit and vegetables?

“It’s a joke.”