Australia will prohibit the import of disposable vape pens starting in January.
There will also be new rules adopted to prohibit the manufacture, distribution, and advertisement of single-use vapes within the nation.
It coincides with a larger movement to phase out vaping for recreational purposes entirely.
Although vaping has been promoted as a smoking cessation method, Australia’s health minister claims that it has led to the emergence of a “new generation of nicotine dependency”.
Vapes, often known as e-cigarettes, are lithium battery-operated devices with cartridges that hold liquids that are artificially flavoured, contain nicotine, and include a variety of other substances.
Since 2021, it has been unlawful for any Australian to import or buy nicotine vapes or e-cigarettes without a prescription from a doctor. However, despite these regulations, the prevalence of addiction has increased dramatically.
Nine out of ten kids in the same age range found it easy to get nicotine vapes, according to research from Australia’s Cancer Council charity. A survey conducted earlier this year by the University of Sydney revealed that over 25% of teenagers between the ages of 14 and 17 had vaped.
Mark Butler, the federal health minister spearheading the ban, stated, “All Australian governments are committed to working together to stop the disturbing growth in vaping among our young people.”
The Australian government announced in May that it planned to phase out the use of single-use vape pens, but it had not yet released a specific date.
According to Mr. Butler, the country will forbid the import of refillable non-therapeutic vapes by March, while the restriction on disposable vapes will go into effect on January 1.
Government regulations pertaining to the flavours, nicotine concentrations, and packaging of medicinal vapes will also need to be complied with by importers and manufacturers sending their products outside.
Experts have cautioned that there is still a lack of knowledge regarding the long-term effects of vaping.
Johns Hopkins University research has connected the practise to asthma and chronic lung illness.
Additionally, researchers in Australia have cautioned that the liquids used in vape pens include “a suite of chemicals” that are known to have an adverse effect on lung health.
Only a few days prior, the government of New Zealand repealed the world’s most stringent smoking prohibition in order to finance tax reductions.
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