Soon, no more recreational vaping in Australia

Australia will outlaw recreational vaping as part of a broad government campaign.

Additionally, minimum quality requirements will be implemented, and only pharmacies can sell vapes.

Australia already requires a prescription for nicotine vapes, but the sector is unregulated, and the black market is growing.

According to health minister Mark Butler, the items are fostering a new generation of nicotine addicts.

Vapes, also referred to as e-cigarettes, heat a liquid into a vapour that users inhale, with the liquid typically containing nicotine. They are frequently viewed as a product to aid smokers in giving up.

But in Australia, Mr Butler claimed in a speech announcing reforms on Tuesday; vapes have turned into a recreational item marketed at children and “sold alongside lollipops and chocolate bars” in retail stores.

“Big Tobacco,” he continued, “has taken another addictive product, wrapped it in shiny packaging, and added sweet flavours to create a new generation of nicotine addicts, just like they did with smoking.”

Because they don’t contain harmful tobacco, vaporizers are considered safer than traditional cigarettes. Health professionals caution that vapes are not risk-free because they frequently include chemicals, and it is unclear what their long-term effects will be.

However, the Australian government claims they threaten the public’s health, disproportionately affecting children and young adults.

According to research, 1 in 6 Australians between the ages of 14 and 17 and 1 in 4 Australians between 18 and 24 vape.

Only one in seventy people of my age vape, according to Mr Butler, 52.

He will unveil new regulations that include prohibiting the importation of non-prescription items and restricting all disposable vapes.

The vaping goods that are still permitted will need prescriptions, and their packaging must resemble that of a pharmacy. There will also be new restrictions on the flavours, colours, levels of nicotine, and other ingredients.

In addition, Mr Butler stated, the government would work to make it simpler for people to obtain a prescription for “legitimate therapeutic use”.

A few other nations, like Singapore and Thailand, have also outlawed vaping, and the Therapeutic Goods Administration, Australia’s regulatory body for pharmaceuticals, has been advocating reform.

However, some politicians, business organizations, and medical professionals believe Australia should relax its laws.

David Littleproud, a leader of National Party, claims that the nation should adopt New Zealand’s strategy and regulate nicotine vapes similarly to cigarettes.