Vapes will only be accessible behind the pharmacy counter as part of a new effort to curb nicotine addiction among young people.
The new regulation will permit customers to purchase vapes from chemists without a prescription, but they must first consult a pharmacist.
Under the reforms, vapes will be packaged in plain containers, and flavours will be restricted to mint, menthol, or tobacco.
Health Minister Mark Butler said the changes are aimed at stopping young people from becoming addicted.
“The era of bubblegum-flavoured vapes adorned with rainbows and unicorns is over. The calculated marketing aimed at our youth has come to an end,” he remarked.
“The only legitimate way to obtain a vape is through a pharmacy.”
The health minister said the reform aims to spur more meaningful conversations about the health risks of vaping and provide better guidelines for dispensing the product.
“Pharmacists will automatically receive insurance coverage when supplying vaping products for smoking and nicotine dependence,” Butler explained.
“Therapeutic vapes will be subject to restrictions similar to those placed on other pharmacist-only items, such as pseudoephedrine and asthma medications.”
These reforms follow earlier legislation implemented in July that prohibited the sale of vapes outside pharmacies.
In September, Butler emphasised the need for a stronger response against illegal vape suppliers, as some tobacco and convenience stores were still selling the products.
Penalties for illegally supplying or manufacturing vapes can reach up to seven years in prison and fines of up to $2 million.
Additionally, individuals purchasing vapes must present a photo ID for age verification.
According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, the use of e-cigarettes in Australia is on the rise.
In the 2022-2023 period, 19.8 percent of Australians aged 14 and over reported trying e-cigarettes at least once, with 7 percent using them regularly—daily, weekly, or monthly.
This marks a significant increase from 2019, when only 11.3 percent of individuals had ever used e-cigarettes and 2.5 percent were regular users. In 2022-2023, the percentage of daily e-cigarette users was 3.5 percent, up from just 1.1 percent in 2019.
The National Drug Strategy Household Survey conducted in 2022-2023 occurred before the new regulations took effect.
At that time, adults were allowed to purchase nicotine-free e-cigarettes from various retail outlets, including those selling tobacco products. Before 2024, adults could also import nicotine e-cigarettes with a prescription under the personal importation scheme.
