ALBANESE GOVERNMENT BANS VAPE IMPORTS

10 January 2024

The commencement of the first stage of the Albanese Labor Government’s vaping reforms began on January 1 with the ban on importation of disposable single use vapes.

These changes will protect Central Victorians, particularly young people, from the harms of vaping and nicotine dependence, while ensuring those with a legitimate need to access therapeutic vapes can continue to do so, where clinically appropriate.

The latest data, from the Australian Secondary Schools Alcohol and Drug survey shows that about one in eight 12- to 15-year-olds and one in five 16- to 17-year-olds had vaped in the past month.
 
Approximately 80 per cent of these young people were using disposable vaping devices. Nearly one-third of students tried vaping for the first time when they were aged 15 or 16, while 23 per cent of students reported being 12 years or younger.
 
From January 1, every doctor and nurse practitioner will be able to prescribe therapeutic vaping products, where clinically appropriate, with the commencement of a new Special Access Scheme pathway.
 
The Government has committed $29.5 million over four years for specialised programs and health service expansions to meet increased demand to support people to quit smoking and vaping arising from the new tobacco and vaping reforms:

New clinical guidance for health professionals on smoking and vaping cessation, building on the RACGP’s work
The creation of an online cessation hub that contains information, tools, resources and linkages to direct people to the best support mechanisms to assist them quit smoking and vaping
The redevelopment of the My Quit Buddy app to provide both smoking and vaping cessation support, and
Expansion of state and territory Quitline services to support equitable access across the country.

In addition, the Quit Centre has been funded until 2025, to develop and deliver training, resources and tools to ensure health professionals are well placed to provide support for smoking and vaping cessation.
  
For more information about the Government's vaping reforms see here.

QUOTES ATTRIBUTABLE TO FEDERAL MEMBER FOR BENDIGO, LISA CHESTERS MP: 

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

"Concerns about vaping is the number one issue that is raised with me from young people, their parents, secondary schools and health professionals who work with young people.

“The Albanese Government is taking world leading action to stamp out vaping.
 
“This is just the first chapter of the governments 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.”