Calls for Prescription Only Sales of E-cigarettes in Australia

Mar.14.2023
Calls for Prescription Only Sales of E-cigarettes in Australia
Australia may ban all commercial sales of e-cigarettes and restrict them to pharmacies with prescriptions to reduce teen vaping.

On March 14th, according to a report from the Daily Mail, Associate Professor Becky Freeman from the University of Sydney in Australia published an article in the journal Public Health Research and Practice stating that only pharmacies should be allowed to sell imported e-cigarettes, and these e-cigarettes should only be available for prescription needs related to quitting smoking. Freeman also stated that the only way for Australia to rid itself of nicotine e-cigarettes is to ban all commercial sales of e-cigarettes.


According to 2FIRSTS, as of October 2021, Australia will prohibit the import of nicotine-containing electronic cigarettes without a prescription. However, Professor Freeman states that local retailers, manufacturers, and importers in Australia still label nicotine-containing electronic cigarettes as nicotine-free in order to secretly bring them into the Australian market.


Professor Freeman stated that legal importation of nicotine-free e-cigarettes is a loophole for importers, while a complete ban on their importation would protect young people. However, it may be acceptable to allow the use of e-cigarettes for smoking cessation purposes, but this would require a prescription from a doctor.


She added that the decrease in the number of nicotine e-cigarettes entering Australia will make enforcing existing laws easier.


According to a survey launched by the Australian Department of Health in 2022, one-third of adolescents aged 14 to 17 have tried vaping.


The Queensland Parliament in Australia is set to introduce new legislation on Tuesday that will seek to crack down on illegal nicotine products, establish more smoke-free areas, and restrict the sale of tobacco in licensed venues.


Related reading;


Queensland, Australia initiates an investigation into electronic cigarettes with potential changes to related legislation.


Reference:


Obtaining and Usage of E-Cigarette Products Among Adolescents Aged 14-17: A Cross-Sectional Study.


There are growing demands to prohibit the sale of all vaping products in Australia, except when prescribed by a doctor to assist patients in quitting smoking.


This document has been generated through artificial intelligence translation and is provided solely for the purposes of industry discourse and learning. Please note that the intellectual property rights of the content belong to the original media source or author. Owing to certain limitations in the translation process, there may be discrepancies between the translated text and the original content. We recommend referring to the original source for complete accuracy. In case of any inaccuracies, we invite you to reach out to us with corrections. If you believe any content has infringed upon your rights, please contact us immediately for its removal.

Lawmakers Clash as Mexico Moves to Criminalize Sale and Promotion of Vapes
Lawmakers Clash as Mexico Moves to Criminalize Sale and Promotion of Vapes
Mexico’s Chamber of Deputies Health Commission has approved a bill establishing a total ban on vapes and e-cigarettes, with penalties ranging from one to eight years in prison and fines between Mex$11,000 and Mex$226,000 (USD ≈$600–$12,300). The proposal sparked controversy among opposition lawmakers, who argued that the legislation criminalizes users rather than focusing on regulation and prevention.
Nov.26 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Bulgaria to Increase Tobacco and Nicotine Product Taxes in 2026, Expected to Generate Additional Revenue of 130 Million Euros
Bulgaria to Increase Tobacco and Nicotine Product Taxes in 2026, Expected to Generate Additional Revenue of 130 Million Euros
Bulgaria will raise excise taxes on cigarettes, cigars, heated tobacco, and e-cigarette liquids starting January 2026. The increase, approved under the 2026 state budget, will be implemented gradually over four years. The Ministry of Finance expects the reform to generate about €130 million in additional revenue by 2026.
Nov.07 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Russian Duma Committee Moves to Embed Local Vape Prohibitions
Russian Duma Committee Moves to Embed Local Vape Prohibitions
Fedot Tumusov, First Deputy Chair of the Duma Health Committee, called vapes the “most dangerous and least controlled” nicotine product and said restricting them should be a priority. While refining a government bill, the committee proposes granting regions the power to ban vape sales. Committee Chair Sergey Leonov said the illicit e-cig market exceeds 60%, with new licensing aimed at cleaning up the sector.
Oct.30 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Ukraine intensifies crackdown on illicit tobacco and alcohol markets
Ukraine intensifies crackdown on illicit tobacco and alcohol markets
Ukraine’s State Tax Service (GNS) has carried out around 24,000 on-site inspections in the tobacco and alcohol sectors this year, imposing more than ₴795 million (US$194 million) in fines and revoking over 2,500 business licences.
Oct.17 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Russian Lawmaker Sounds Alarm as Teenage Vaping Surges—Female Use Overtakes Male
Russian Lawmaker Sounds Alarm as Teenage Vaping Surges—Female Use Overtakes Male
Russia’s Chair of the State Duma Committee on Youth Policy warns that among 11–14-year-olds, girls now vape at higher rates than boys, a trend he calls “deeply concerning.” He says the spread of nicotine products—especially e-cigarettes—among minors poses a public health risk and warrants continued policy-level interventions.
Oct.17 by 2FIRSTS.ai
South Korea Implements Law Requiring Full Disclosure of Tobacco Harmful Substances
South Korea Implements Law Requiring Full Disclosure of Tobacco Harmful Substances
South Korea has enacted the Tobacco Harm Management Act, effective November 1, 2025, requiring tobacco manufacturers and importers to test and report harmful substances in their products every two years. Results for all tobacco types—including combustible cigarettes, heated tobacco, and e-cigarettes—will be publicly available from mid-2026.
Nov.04 by 2FIRSTS.ai