Yes, the commercial supply of disposable vapes is illegal in Australia. They have been prohibited from general sale since July 2024, and it is also illegal to import them.
In 2024, new national regulations of vapes were introduced which: banned the importation and sale of non-therapeutic vapes and all disposable vapes (devices that can't be recharged, or reused), including those with or without nicotine.
From 1 October 2024, people 18 years and over can buy vapes with a nicotine concentration of 20 mg/ml or less from participating pharmacies without a prescription, where state and territory laws allow, but only after talking with the pharmacist.
Yes, but only through pharmacies with a prescription for smoking cessation, as all vapes (nicotine or not) are banned in regular stores like vape shops and tobacconists as of July 2024. You can buy approved vapes from participating pharmacies after a consultation with a pharmacist or doctor, who will ensure it's for quitting smoking, with limited flavour options (tobacco, mint, menthol).
Persons entering Australia by ship or aircraft may bring a small quantity of vapes under a traveller's exemption. The vapes must be for use in the treatment of the traveller or someone the traveller is caring for, who is entering Australia on the same ship or aircraft. The maximum allowable quantity is: 2 vapes.
Fines for vaping in Australia vary significantly by state and the specific offense, ranging from on-the-spot fines for using vapes in smoke-free areas (like $300 in NSW) to huge penalties for illegal supply or possession, reaching hundreds of thousands of dollars or even imprisonment for individuals and corporations, especially for nicotine-containing products without a prescription. The laws target commercial supply, making it hard to buy vapes, while personal possession penalties differ by territory, with some states like WA having very high fines and others less severe.
No, iGet vapes, especially disposable ones, are generally not legal to buy, sell, or import for recreational use in Australia as of 2024-2025 due to strict new federal laws banning non-therapeutic vapes, including imports of disposables, with only therapeutic vapes (plain packaging, mint/menthol/tobacco, low nicotine) available via pharmacies. While personal possession isn't criminalized for individuals, importing them is illegal without a permit, and their sale is restricted to pharmacies for smoking cessation purposes.
Yes, Chemist Warehouse sells vapes, but only therapeutic ones, as Australian law changed in July 2024 to restrict sales to pharmacies for smoking cessation, requiring prescriptions for nicotine-containing vapes and approval for all therapeutic vapes. Chemist Warehouse is a major player in this new pharmacy-exclusive market, partnering with companies like Liber Pharmaceuticals, and they sell these products both online and in-store for quitting smoking.
Fines for buying vapes in Australia are severe and vary by state, but can range from on-the-spot fines for use in public (around $300 in NSW) to massive penalties for illegal supply/import, with potential for millions of dollars and even jail time (e.g., $1.65M+ for individuals, $8.25M+ for corporations) under federal law for prohibited imports, as most vaping products (even non-nicotine) are now heavily restricted or banned without a prescription, making purchase from illicit sources very risky.
Yes, but it depends heavily on your location, as many countries like Australia have banned them in general retail, making them available only via prescription at pharmacies for smoking cessation, while a black market persists; other places still sell them in vape shops and convenience stores, though regulations are tightening globally, focusing on nicotine content and legal sales channels.
Electronic cigarette use is not considered in the definition of current cigarette smoking or any use of tobacco products. Cigarette smoking and use of any tobacco products do not include the use of electronic cigarettes or other vaping devices to vape nicotine.
a) Importers are liable for between 3 and 20 years' imprisonment and 5 and 15 strokes of the cane. b) Sellers and distributors are liable for between 2 and 10 years' imprisonment and 2 and 5 strokes of the cane.
Yes, most IGET vapes contain high levels of nicotine, often around 5% (50mg/mL), though nicotine-free versions also exist, and illegal ones are frequently mislabeled, making it difficult to know the exact content without lab testing. Studies show IGET is a very popular brand, with most containing nicotine, and the amount can be equivalent to hundreds of cigarettes, leading to significant addiction risk, especially for young users, according to Australian health authorities and experts.
If you witness a vaping-related offence: Report online or call the Tobacco Regulation Branch: 6684 2036 / 6684 2037, from 9am to 9pm daily (including weekends and public holidays)
No, IGET vapes are not considered safe, with health authorities reporting serious acute illnesses (seizures, collapse) linked to them, especially in youth, due to undisclosed nicotine and harmful chemicals like formaldehyde and acrolein (found in insect killer) often present, even if labeled nicotine-free, and containing lung irritants and potential carcinogens, making them a significant public health concern.
No, you generally cannot buy disposable vapes in Australia as they are banned for sale in retail stores and illegal to import since 2024, with sales now restricted to pharmacies for therapeutic use (smoking cessation) and only for approved, non-disposable vapes with specific flavor and nicotine limits, requiring a pharmacist consultation. The strict laws prohibit non-pharmacy retailers (tobacconists, vape shops) from selling any vapes and ban single-use disposable vapes entirely, focusing access on regulated, prescription-based treatments for nicotine dependence.
Under the NSW Smoke-free Environment Act 2000, vaping is banned wherever smoking is banned. A $300 on the spot fine may apply. For support to quit, visit iCanQuit.com.au or call Quitline on 13 78 48 today. why?
The health risks associated with vaping are becoming increasingly clear. With alarming rates of use among young people who have never smoked, health authorities are grappling with a new generation facing potential lung damage, nicotine addiction, and other serious health issues.
Fines for vaping in Australia vary significantly by state and the specific offense, ranging from on-the-spot fines for using vapes in smoke-free areas (like $300 in NSW) to huge penalties for illegal supply or possession, reaching hundreds of thousands of dollars or even imprisonment for individuals and corporations, especially for nicotine-containing products without a prescription. The laws target commercial supply, making it hard to buy vapes, while personal possession penalties differ by territory, with some states like WA having very high fines and others less severe.
Yes, your lungs can begin to heal and improve significantly after quitting vaping, even after four years, with inflammation decreasing and lung function returning, but the extent of recovery depends on the damage; some severe damage, like scarring from conditions such as Popcorn Lung (Bronchiolitis Obliterans), might be permanent, emphasizing that quitting sooner offers the best chance for substantial healing, though some issues could linger or become chronic.
But nicotine vaping could still damage your health. “Your lungs aren't meant to deal with the constant challenge of non-air that people are putting into them—sometimes as many as 200 puffs a day—day after day, week after week, year after year,” Eissenberg says.
However, early research shows that vaping, even without nicotine, is not a completely safe alternative to cigarette smoking.
What vapes aren't getting banned? Vapes that are reusable will not get banned. They need to be refillable and rechargeable, with replaceable coils to class as a reusable vape kit. This includes all refillable pod vapes, vapes with tanks and all pre-filled pod systems that provide replacement pods.
No, you generally cannot send vapes through Australia Post (AusPost) for delivery within Australia, and importing them is strictly prohibited unless you have specific licenses, as Australia has banned the postal import of all vaping goods as of March 2024. While some international postal services allow limited vape shipments with strict rules (like Royal Mail for UK destinations), these rules don't apply to Australia's strict bans, and AusPost follows dangerous goods policies that prohibit many vape components like lithium batteries and e-liquids.
Yes, iGet Bars (disposable vapes) are largely illegal to import and sell in Australia as of 2024 due to strict new regulations banning all non-therapeutic and disposable vapes, meaning they can only be sold in pharmacies under specific conditions, with significant penalties for non-compliance. It's illegal for regular retailers to sell them, and importing them is banned, even for personal use in quantities exceeding two devices.