Australia's nicotine-free vape ban has been announced by Health Minister Mark Butler. He confirmed this effort during a press release on Tuesday, May 2.
Australian Minister for Health and Aged Care Mark Butler addresses the media at Parliament House on March 30, 2023, in Canberra, Australia. Health authorities are providing an update on the latest COVID-19 numbers and local vaccination uptake.
Butler said that vaping is making a new generation of nicotine-dependent people in Australia. He added that vaping poses a major health threat to the country's tobacco control efforts.
Australia Nicotine-Free Vape Ban
According to New Scientist's latest report, the Australian government has regular vaping products to be sold in pharmacies ever since 2021.
"Rose K" smokes with a cannabidiol (CBD) vape during "Cannabis Open," an event to promote cannabidiol (CBD) products in Tokyo on June 12, 2022. - CBD is legal in Japan if extracted from the plant's seeds or fully-grown stems, but not other parts like the leaves. (Photo by Philip FONG / AFP)
Also Read: Nicotine-Free Vapes Raise Concerns; Tests Reveal They're as Addictive as Full-Strength E-Cigarettes
These nicotine-containing vapes can be acquired if consumers have prescriptions from doctors and other health professionals.
Meanwhile, nicotine-free vapes are easier to access because they can be purchased at convenience stores, petrol stations, and other retailers. Because of this difference, Australian officials are more concerned with nicotine-free vapes.
"There are many cases of products being falsely labeled as nicotine-free or simply not listing nicotine in the ingredients even when it is there," explained Prof. Oliver Jones at RMIT University of Melbourne.
Allowing Prescribed E-Cigarettes
In his official press release, Mark Butler said that Australia's 2023-24 Budget includes $737 million for their measures against tobacco and vaping products.
"We will not stand by and allow vaping to create another generation of nicotine addicts," stated the Australian health minister.
Butler said that the Australian government proposes stronger enforcement and regulation of all e-cigarette products.
These include new restrictions on packaging, contents, and importation of vapes. Among the efforts included in their latest anti-vape plan are the following:
- Ban all single-use, disposable vapes.
- Require pharmaceutical-like packaging.
- Increase the minimum quality standards for vapes including by restricting flavors, colors, and other ingredients.
- Stop the import of non-prescription vapes.
- Reduce the allowed nicotine concentrations and volumes.
If you want to learn more about the latest nicotine-free ban effort in Australia, you can click here.
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