It is illegal to use, sell or buy nicotine for use in e-cigarettes to anyone in Australia without a prescription. With the exception of Western Australia, each state and territory permit the sale of vapes and e-cigarettes, but not the sale or purchase of liquid cartridges that contain nicotine.
Vaping liquids can harm children
Liquid nicotine refills for e-cigarettes are very dangerous for both children and adults. They are illegal in Australia. Nicotine is a poison that can be absorbed through the skin. Accidental swallowing of liquid nicotine can be deadly.
Vape Laws Australia
Under current laws, brought in during the Morrison administration and Health Minister Greg Hunt, it is illegal to buy, possess, import, or use a nicotine-containing e-cigarette with no a prescription.
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.
What is the new policy? The Australian government will ban the importation of nonprescription vaping products – including those that do not contain nicotine. Minimum quality standards for vapes will be introduced, including restricting flavours, colours and other ingredients.
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.
It argues vaping product liquids regularly contain harmful, improperly labelled ingredients — including nicotine in non-nicotine vapes — and 31 per cent of registered products have prohibited ingredients in concentrations exceeding the legal limit.
About 11% of the general population aged 14 and over reported in 2019 having ever used e-cigarettes. At 26.1%, ever use was highest among young adults aged between 18 and 24 years, with lower use among older age groups.
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.
Preston says the surge in Australian vapers is disappointing given the federal government, in 2021, already banned the possession and sale of all (non-prescription) electronic cigarettes containing nicotine. The ban meant only vapes that do not contain nicotine could be sold over-the-counter.
Benefits of vaping
Vaping can help some people quit smoking. Vaping is usually cheaper than smoking. Vaping is not harmless, but it is much less harmful than smoking. Vaping is less harmful to those around you than smoking, as there's no current evidence that second-hand vapour is dangerous to others.
"Almost all e-cigarettes deliver nicotine, which is extremely addictive. Addiction is common in people using vapes and young people are especially vulnerable to addiction as their brains are still developing.
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.
The reality of any vaping device, whether marketed as a “healthy” option or not, is that they are unsafe to use. The lack of research combined with a lack of federal regulation means that there is simply no evidence suggesting “healthy vapes” offer any benefit or a healthy alternative to nicotine-based devices.
Lung function starts to improve 2 weeks to 3 months after quitting. From 1–12 months after quitting, symptoms such as coughing and breathing problems should improve as lung structures heal. If people wish to quit vaping, they can speak with a healthcare professional.
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.
Vaping has a direct effect on oral health.
Exposure to e-cigarette aerosol can lead to more bacteria in the mouth, which is associated with tooth decay, cavities, and gum diseases. It can also cause dry mouth, inflamed gums, and other issues.
In a win for public health and the environment, the Australian federal government has just banned the importation of non-prescription vaping products. All single-use, disposable vapes will also be banned – which will drastically reduce single-use vape waste.
' The liquids typically contain nicotine, artificial flavourings, and various chemicals, some of which have been shown to be toxic. The liquid is heated into an aerosol, or vapour, and inhaled into the user's lungs.
Stress and anxiety can trigger vape cravings, and make it harder for you to quit for good. You may be tempted to reach for your vape when you have these feelings, but vaping is not an effective way to cope.
Vaping devices help in releasing psychological tension. So if you're experiencing anxiety or stress, all the information in your brain will flow slower while you vape, and you'll feel calmer.