The Australian Government Has Announced a Major Crackdown on Vaping

All non-prescription vaping products will be banned from importation.

The Australian government yesterday announced the largest tobacco crackdown in a decade.

After a recent inquiry into vaping by the Therapeutic Goods Administration, the federal government has announced a significant crackdown on vaping, specifically targeted at reducing youth vaping.

Under the new regulations, the importation of non-prescription vapes will be blocked, and the sale of flavoured or scented vapes will be restricted, and all single-use disposable vapes will be banned.

In today’s address to the National Press Club, Health minister Mark Butler said vaping has become an epidemic amongst young Aussies as vapes have been targeted towards them.

“This is a product targeted at our kids, sold alongside lollies and chocolate bars,” he said.

Currently, nicotine vapes can’t be sold without a prescription, but a black market has emerged around the product.

A recent study of 1000 15 to 17-year-olds, four out of five participants said they could somewhat easily buy vapes in retail stores.

A major part of the new regulations will also crack down on how vapes are marketed and packaged, similar to how plain packaging was introduced on cigarette packets.

“No more bubble-gum flavours, pink unicorns or vapes disguised as highlighter pens for kids to hide them in their pencil cases.”

The new measures will be a feature of the upcoming federal budget, costing a total of $234 million, including dedicated costs towards addiction support and anti-vaping public health campaigns.

The move has already seen widespread support.

“I welcome this crackdown,” Dr Nicole Higgins, President of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners said.

“We must do much more to limit the number of young people, including children and teenagers, taking up nicotine vaping.”

The announcement has also received some bipartisan political support, with opposition leader Peter Dutton throwing his support behind the move.

"I do think there is a significant problem in our country, and it needs to be addressed, and we would support the government in sensible measures which saw a reduction in vaping rates," he said.

If you or anyone you know is struggling with substance abuse, misuse or addiction, help is available now. Call Lifeline on 131 114.