With Australia's new e-cigarette laws coming into effect, it's time to clarify six often misunderstood facts about these controversial devices.
Growing concerns about vaping among young Australians have led to tougher regulations, with a series of legislative changes coming in 2024. The new rules, which come into effect on October 1, aim to protect young people while allowing e-cigarettes to be used as a tool to quit smoking. The changes will allow pharmacists to supply low-nicotine devices to adults without a prescription. Minors, as well as adults requiring a higher dose, will still need a prescription to obtain these products.
Although e-cigarettes are becoming more popular, many Australians still don't understand why they're controversial, how teens get their hands on them or whether they're really safe. Here are the essential things you need to know about the products and how effective the new laws are.
How do young people access e-cigarettes?
Vaping first emerged in Australia around 2007, but it really gained popularity from 2016. E-cigarettes containing nicotine were never legal to buy without a prescription in Australia. Only pharmacists and medical practitioners could legally supply nicotine-containing devices. However, before 1 July 2024, it was legal to buy and sell non-nicotine e-cigarettes in most parts of the country. Retailers could sell these products under the same conditions as tobacco products, for example, not selling to minors.
However, many retailers illegally sold e-cigarettes containing nicotine, and some were even caught selling them to minors. Illegal sales also occurred through websites, social media and messaging apps. Friends or family members were also often a source of supply for young people.
Are e-cigarettes safe?
When they contain nicotine, e-cigarettes can lead to addiction in youth and associated behavioral problems. Research also suggests that vaping may harm youth fitness and lung health. Additionally, poor-quality devices can expose users to heavy metals and other contaminants.
It is important to note that no e-cigarettes currently available in Australia have gone through the usual approval process for therapeutic drugs. Instead, the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has set a quality standard that must be met before the devices can be supplied by pharmacists.
For short-term use, such as during smoking cessation, pharmacy-supplied e-cigarettes are likely safe, as clinical trials of similar products have not found serious adverse effects. However, the long-term risks remain uncertain, although they are likely much lower than those of smoking, which kills two out of three long-term smokers.
E-cigarettes have a clear benefit for smokers who are unable to quit using conventional methods, but young non-smokers who vape experience no benefit and only potential risks.
What measures have been taken to prevent young people from vaping?
The Australian Federal Government has put in place numerous laws to restrict the importation and sale of e-cigarettes. From 1 January 2024, the importation of disposable e-cigarettes, whether or not they contain nicotine, is prohibited. From 1 July 2024, all e-cigarettes, with or without nicotine, were regulated as therapeutic products, making them available only in pharmacies to aid in quitting smoking or managing nicotine dependence.
Starting October 1, 2024, adults will be able to purchase low-strength nicotine devices (up to 2%) without a prescription, but minors and adults who need a higher dose will still need a prescription.
Australian state governments have also taken action against youth use of e-cigarettes. In addition to education campaigns, businesses illegally selling nicotine-containing devices have been raided, products seized and prosecutions launched. However, barriers such as the difficulty of proving that retailers were knowingly selling nicotine-containing products have reduced the effectiveness of these actions.
Will all pharmacies sell e-cigarettes?
No. From 1 October, pharmacists will be able to supply e-cigarettes with up to 2% nicotine without a prescription after assessing whether it is suitable for the adult's health needs. However, some pharmacies may choose to only sell prescription products or not stock e-cigarettes at all.
Why not just ban the sale of e-cigarettes?
E-cigarettes were developed by a Chinese pharmacist, Hon Lik, who was looking for a less harmful product after failing to quit smoking with nicotine patches. While the evidence on the effectiveness of e-cigarettes for quitting smoking is mixed, the overall evidence shows that they can help some people quit smoking, particularly when combined with support, such as counselling sessions.
Does Australia's approach protect young people?
It is difficult to answer with certainty, but it seems that the measures are going in the right direction. Before the 2024 reforms, nicotine-containing devices were cheap and widely available, albeit illegally. Reports indicate that although the illegal supply has not been completely eliminated, prices have increased, making these devices less accessible to young people.
It is important to support young people who use e-cigarettes to quit, while ensuring that they do not turn to tobacco as a substitute.
