Achi news desk-
This is a question I was asked yesterday when I was talking to a retailer who has vape products for sale. I directed them to the Therapeutic Products Administration website. The TGA is the federal government agency with regulatory authority for therapeutic products. Steaming products come into their own. Here is some of what the TGA website covers on vaping products:
As of January 1, 2024, the import of disposable vapors will be prohibited, subject to very limited exceptions. The ban will apply to disposable vapors regardless of nicotine content or therapeutic claims. This means that it will be illegal to import disposable vapes on or after 1 January 2024, even if these vapes were ordered before 1 January 2024 and have not yet arrived in Australia.
The ban also applies to people who have ordered single-use vapes from overseas for therapeutic use under the personal import scheme. A limited exception will apply to international travelers arriving in Australia to carry a small amount of vapes for their own care or for the care of someone traveling with them under their supervision.
Disposable vapors imported to Australia before 1 January 2024 may continue to be lawfully supplied in Australia subject to the following requirements:
- TGA-compliant disposable nicotine vapors may continue to be lawfully supplied in Australia in a pharmacy setting to a patient with a prescription in accordance with state and territory prescription drug laws,
- And disposable pastries yes No contain nicotine, or any other drug, and do not make therapeutic claims, may be supplied by retailers generally, including vape shops, subject to state or territory law.
This will allow legitimate retailers of disposable vapes to reduce their stock before the government introduces legislation in early 2024 to prevent domestic production, advertising, supply and commercial possession of disposable vapes, to ensure comprehensive control at all levels of the supply chain.
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From March 1, 2024, the import of all non-therapeutic vapes will be banned. This means it will be illegal to import non-therapeutic vapes on or after 1 March 2024, even if those vapes were ordered before 1 March 2024 and have not yet arrived in Australia.
Also, the import of all vapes under the personal import program will end on March 1, 2024. From this date, patients will no longer be able to order vapes directly from abroad, even if they have a prescription.
A limited exception will allow international travelers arriving in Australia to carry a small amount of vapor for their own care or for the care of someone traveling with them under their supervision.
Subject to state or territory law, non-therapeutic vapes imported before 1 March 2024 may still be lawfully sold by retailers generally, including vape shops, provided the vape does so. No Contains nicotine or any other drug, and makes no therapeutic claims.
This will allow legitimate retailers of non-therapeutic vapes that do not contain nicotine to reduce their stock before the government introduces legislation later in 2024 to prevent the manufacture, advertising, supply and commercial possession of non-therapeutic vapes to ensure comprehensive vaping control. at all levels of the supply chain.
The Minister of Health’s website also refers to this and clarifies the government’s position regarding vape products:
During the year 2024, the product standards for therapeutic vapors will be strengthened, including limiting flavors, reducing the permitted nicotine concentrations and requiring medicinal packaging. A transition period will be allowed for businesses to meet the new requirements.
The government will introduce legislation in 2024 to prevent domestic production, advertising, supply and commercial possession of non-therapeutic and single-use vapes to ensure comprehensive control of vapes at all levels of the supply chain.
It is clear that there is no future for vape products at retail outside of pharmacies that sell therapeutic products.
