As advised in the January article Reduced access to vapes coming – is your ACCHO ready? the government is continuing to introduce additional regulations in an effort to control access to recreational vapes.
Therapeutic Goods and Other Legislation Amendment (Vaping Reforms) Bill 2024 has now passed which cracks down on the sale of all recreational vapes in Australia and there is restriction on advertising, packaging and flavours for vapes.
Since Monday 1 July 2024, ALL vapes in Australia are only available at pharmacies. This means it’s illegal for any other retailer, including tobacconists and convenience stores, to sell any type of vape or vaping product. Individuals who have a vape on them for personal use will not be targeted under the changes to the laws.
Until 30 September 2024, everyone will need a prescription from a doctor or nurse practitioner to buy vapes that contain nicotine.
From 1 October 2024, people 18 years or over will be able to buy nicotine vapes from pharmacies without a prescription. People under 18 years will still need a prescription.
You can find out more about the changes to the regulation of vapes on the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) website.
Vaping is considered a second-line quitting aid for smokers who are unable to quit with first-line treatments. There is Information for prescribers available with links to the Special Access Scheme pathway which simplifies prescription access to therapeutic vapes where clinically appropriate.
The following additional resources may help ACCHO’s staff who are supporting clients seeking help as a result of difficulty accessing vapes:
- NSW Health 26 page Guide to Support Young People to Quit E-Cigarettes
- NSW Health Tobacco and smoking: Tools for health professionals has links to multiple guidelines and resources to manage nicotine dependence and smoking cessation
- RACGP Guidance to smoking and vaping cessation
- Prescribing Nicotine Replacement Therapies (NRT) can be used to support cessation of the used of using any inhaled nicotine product as outlined in the Department of Health and Aging’s advice for health professionals
- Resources for health professionals are available through the Quit Centre: www.quitcentre.org.au
- NSW Health Smoking and vaping resources for Aboriginal Young people and a broader range of resources available at the Vaping Resources Hub
- Lung Foundation First Nations Vaping Resources
The following resources are for patients, parents and carers:
- The Australian Government ‘Give Up For Good‘ campaign to encourage people to quit smoking and vaping.
- Patient support to quit smoking and/or vaping is available through Quitline services including a NSW Aboriginal Quitline: 13 QUIT (13 7848),or online at www.quit.org.au.
- Download the My QuitBuddy app
- Resources for teachers, parents, and carers to help them support young people to quit vaping are available at health.gov.au/Vaping
- You can direct those with further enquiries about the legislation to the Information for patients and consumers available on the TGA website
AH&MRC are committed to supporting smoking and vaping cessation in the community and will continue to provide funding for NRT to our member services. We are also working with stakeholders to explore training options for delivery of smoking cessation training across ACCHOs.
Please reach out to asavidis@ahmrc.org.au or publichealth@ahmrc.org.au if you would like further information.
