Vaping Imports Now Banned in Australia

Health Minister Mark Butler tells Australians to quit vaping in the New Year.

A festival-goer is seen vaping at Reading Festival in Reading, west of London, on Aug. 27, 2021. Daniel Leal/AFP via Getty Images

Importing a disposable vape is now illegal in Australia under the first step of the Albanese government’s vaping reforms.

The government is encouraging Australians to “quit vaping” as the law comes into force to coincide with the beginning of the new year.

There is a limited exemption for international travellers into Australia who are carrying a small quantity of vapes for treatment.

Those vapes that have already been imported into Australia before Jan. 1 can continue to be lawfully supplied in Australia until they run out.

However, doctors and nurses will be able to prescribe therapeutic vaping products where “clinically appropriate” under a new scheme.

Health Minister Mark Butler urged people to quit vaping and said the import ban was only the “first chapter” of vaping reform.

“Vaping is creating a whole new generation of nicotine dependency in our community, especially amongst young Australians,” he said.

“If you vape, this New Year make it your resolution to quit.”

He said the Albanese government is “taking world-leading action” to stamp out vaping to “protect a new generation of kids from getting hooked on nicotine.”

“This is just the first chapter of the government’s vaping reform, the supply of vapes coming into Australia will gradually dry up over the course of 2024, for this reason, we strongly encourage all recreational vapers to begin their journey of cessation,” he said.

The government cited data from the Australian Secondary Schools Alcohol and Drug survey revealing one in eight 12 to 15-year-olds and one in five 16 to 17-year-olds have vaped in the last month.

About 80 percent of these people are using disposable vaping devices, and nearly one-third of students tried vaping for the first time while aged 15 or 16, the government said.

In addition, 23 percent of students who tried vaping were 12 years or younger.

The Federal government will spend $29.5 million (US$20.1 million) over four years on health services and programs to help people quit smoking and vaping.

Concerns About Vaping Ban

Despite the vaping ban, concerns have been raised in Australia about the potential for a black market.

Retired doctor and founding chairman of the Australian Tobacco Harm Reduction Association Dr. Colin Mendelsohn told 3AW radio, “Unfortunately in Australia, we’ve just got the regulations wrong.”

Meanwhile, Libertarian MLC David Limbrick raised concerns the government is putting the “interests of big pharma and doctors above Australian consumers.”

“The government is dreaming if they think they will magically destroy this market,” he said.