The Albanese Government will introduce legislation today to address the use of vapes around the country.

The legislation will ban the importation, manufacture, supply and retail of any disposable single use and non-therapeutic vapes.

Health Minister Mark Butler says vaping is a major public health issue and that it is appropriate for Australia to regulate vaping as a therapeutic good.

“The Government is taking a world leading response to stop the risk that vapes pose to the Australian community, especially young people,” he said.

The proposed legislation will allow for individuals who are seeking to quit cigarette smoking access to vapes through a prescription provided by a doctor or a nurse practitioner in a pharmacy.

“This Bill ensures people can continue to access therapeutic vapes to stop smoking on the advice of their doctor, while putting in place comprehensive laws to control the manufacture, supply and commercial possession of illegal vapes,” Butler said.

Almost 50 percent of people aged 18 to 24 in Australia had used e-cigarettes or vapes in their lifetime according to the National Drug Strategy Household Survey 2022/23. The survey also found one in four people aged 14 to 17 had also used e-cigarettes or vapes in their lifetime.

“All Australian governments are in lockstep and are committed to working together to stop the disturbing growth in vaping among our young people,” Butler said.

This would mean Australia become sthe first country in the world to see disposable vapes completely banned.

Photo: Vape Mods – Pod Vapes by Vaping 360 available HERE and used under a Creative Commons license. This photo has not been modified.