This article exists as part of the online archive for HuffPost Australia, which closed in 2021.

You Still Can't Buy Vaping Nicotine In Australia, Here's Why

Health experts don't want e-cigarettes to normalise smoking.
There's a lot we don't know about vaping.
prostooleh
There's a lot we don't know about vaping.

A ban on nicotine-containing e-cigarettes has been upheld by The Therapeutic Goods Administration meaning that people who want to vape cannot do so legally.

While it's legal to buy an e-cigarette device in Australia, the nicotine-containing 'juice' is not legal to buy without a prescription. It's also unlawful to use a nicotine-containing vape and importing it constitutes mail fraud.

While supporters of vapes say it is less damaging than regular cigarettes and should be encouraged, health experts generally disagree, saying there's not enough evidence to prove their harm-minimisation effect and that they can 'normalise' smoking.

Here's why Australian experts support the ban:

Vape flavour additives could be dangerous

University of Technology Sydney Translational Airways Group Doctor David Chapman

"The downside of this decision is that e-cigarette users will still import nicotine containing e-cigarette fluids from the internet which may also contain other harmful products.

"The compounds used to provide the 'smoke' effect while vaping may contribute to the dangers of e-cigarette use. Although flavour additives are safe for ingestion, they are likely toxic when heated and inhaled.

"Some flavour additives are already known to cause irreversible lung disease in factory workers who have been exposed to the fumes from heated flavouring compounds."

What's in your juice and where did it come from?
librakv
What's in your juice and where did it come from?

People don't need a new way to harm themselves

University of Sydney Tobacco Treatment Specialist Renee Bittoun

"We have, over my career, been able to dramatically reduce the prevalence of smoking in Australia to one of the lowest in the world due to factors such as litigation, education, taxation and cessation initiatives.

"We do not need to introduce a new source of nicotine delivery device.

We don't need more ways to use nicotine.
George Clerk
We don't need more ways to use nicotine.

"This is a consumer issue as e-cigarettes are addictive and promote the continuation and consumption of a tobacco product for life."

Australia has a great reputation of being tough on tobacco

Curtin University School of Health Sciences Professor Mike Daube

"Australia is already a world leader in reducing smoking -- described by the tobacco industry as 'the darkest tobacco market in the world'.

"We should keep doing the things we know work, that are already driving down smoking dramatically in both adults and children."

Australia is a leader in banning smoking from cars, restaurants, pubs and public malls.
Jasper White
Australia is a leader in banning smoking from cars, restaurants, pubs and public malls.

There's no clear evidence they help people quit

University of Technology Sydney Translational Airways Group Doctor David Chapman

"The role of e-cigarettes in reducing the health effects of tobacco smoking is not well understood. Initial research suggested that e-cigarettes had limited effectiveness in smoking cessation but there is now evidence from the UK that e-cigarette use has increased the success of quit attempts.

"However, many tobacco smokers are simply smoking in conjunction with e-cigarette use and whether this dual use leads to positive or negative outcomes is not known."

Correction: This article originally said importing nicotine-containing vape products constituted mail fraud. It is legal to import nicotine but unlawful to take possession of it without a prescription.

Close
This article exists as part of the online archive for HuffPost Australia. Certain site features have been disabled. If you have questions or concerns, please check our FAQ or contact support@huffpost.com.