New vaping reforms announced on Monday will see the importation of nicotine and non-nicotine vaping products banned in Australia except to pharmacies, along with a range of other measures.
The importation and sale of all e-cigarettes, regardless of whether they are labelled as containing nicotine or not, will soon be banned in Australia, unless they are supplied by prescription through a licensed pharmacist.
Queensland (QLD) vaping laws
You cannot vape in smoke-free zones and Queensland is the only state in Australia which you cannot import nicotine for personal use from overseas and it is illegal to use an e-cigarette containing nicotine.
You must be 18 years or older to vape in Australia. You must be 18 years or older to buy a vape in Australia. To get a nicotine prescription in Australia, you must be 18 years or older. In most states, it is illegal to vape in cars with someone under the age of 16 present.
It is also illegal to sell vaping products (with or without nicotine) to anyone younger than 18 years of age. Vaping nicotine is legal in Australia only with a GP's prescription. Remember, there is no legal age to vape nicotine in Australia per se, as vaping without a nicotine prescription is illegal.
1: Vaping is less harmful than smoking, but it's still not safe. E-cigarettes heat nicotine (extracted from tobacco), flavorings and other chemicals to create an aerosol that you inhale. Regular tobacco cigarettes contain 7,000 chemicals, many of which are toxic.
All single-use, disposable vapes will be banned. The reforms aim to make it easier for smokers wanting to quit tobacco smoking to get a prescription and to understand the contents of the vaping products they then buy.
Schedule 4 substances are referred to as 'restricted substances' as per the Poisons Act 1971 (TAS). It is illegal for a person to have a nicotine vaping product in ones' possession, without a prescription, as per section 36. A maximum penalty of a $6,850 fine or 2-years imprisonment is applicable.
Under the NSW Public Health (Tobacco) Act 2008, it is illegal to sell e-cigarettes or e-cigarette accessories to a person under 18 years of age. It is illegal to display, advertise or promote e-cigarettes.
In Australia, you must be 18 to do anything vape-related.
Under state and territory laws, it is illegal to possess, supply or sell nicotine containing e-cigarettes, except: in specific circumstances. and when they are being supplied or accessed through a prescription.
They breathe in addictive nicotine and dozens of dangerous chemicals. Research suggests that vaping may affect the way cells in the respiratory tract (nose, throat and lungs) react to germs and may increase the chance of disease and infection from bacterial and virus, like the virus that causes COVID-19.
Are e-cigarettes less harmful than regular cigarettes? Yes—but that doesn't mean e-cigarettes are safe. E-cigarette aerosol generally contains fewer toxic chemicals than the deadly mix of 7,000 chemicals in smoke from regular cigarettes. However, e-cigarette aerosol is not harmless.
The penalty for a breach of the relevant provisions of the Tobacco Products Control Act 2006 for a first offence by an individual is a maximum fine of up to $10,000, and for a first offence by a company is up to $40 000. These maximum penalties may be doubled for a second or subsequent offence.
Research suggests one in six Australians aged 14-17 years old has vaped, and one in four people aged 18-24. "Only 1 in 70 people my age has vaped," said Mr Butler, who is 52. He said the products are being deliberately targeted at kids and are readily available "alongside lollies and chocolate bars" in retail stores.
New Vape Laws Australia. Under the new rules, the importation of all vaping devices, whether they contain nicotine or not, will be illegal, except by pharmacists. This is the key loophole that the government is trying to close.
The amount of nicotine in one standard JUUL cartridge is roughly equal to the amount of nicotine in a pack of cigarettes, or about 200 puffs, according to the JUUL website. Early nicotine use can harm brain development, alter nerve cell functioning and increase the risk of young people smoking cigarettes.
People vape for various reasons, including: to help them reduce or quit smoking. belief that they are less harmful than traditional cigarettes. cheaper than traditional cigarettes.
Since 2021, Australia has only allowed nicotine-containing vapes to be sold by pharmacies to people who have been prescribed them by a doctor to help them quit smoking. However, nicotine-free vapes have been legally available to buy at convenience stores, petrol stations and other retailers.
Most e-cigarettes (vapes) contain nicotine—the addictive drug in regular cigarettes, cigars, and other tobacco products.
In 2020–21, use of e-cigarettes was highest among persons aged 16-24 years, for both ever use (32.7%) and current use (11.1%). Males were more likely than females to have ever used e-cigarettes (37.4% compared to 27.7%).
A dentist can't tell if you're vaping or not, but they can tell that you're consuming nicotine, whether through traditional cigarettes or electronic cigarettes. Nicotine leaves yellow and brown stains on teeth after it mixes with our saliva flow. It can also lead to cavities, bad breath, and serious gum damage.
Breathing in the harmful chemicals from vaping products can cause irreversible (cannot be cured) lung damage, lung disease and, in some cases, death. Some chemicals in vaping products can also cause cardiovascular disease and biological changes that are associated with cancer development.
After 3 to 9 months your lung function will be improving by up to 10%. A year after quitting cigarettes your risk of heart attack will have halved compared to a smoker!