Australia to Ban Single-Use Vape Imports From 2024

Facts

Australia is set ban the import of all single-use disposable vapes — effective Jan. 1, 2024 — health minister Mark Butler has announced, citing what he described as a 'new generation of nicotine dependency' in the country.¹
Around one in seven 14-17-year-olds in Australia use vapes, according to government data, with Butler saying the product, once designed to 'help long-term smokers quit,' had turned into a 'recreational product...targeted to our kids.'²
Data also shows that one in five aged 18-24 vape in Australia. A new law, to be introduced in 2024, will further prevent domestic manufacturing, advertisement, supply, and commercial possession of non-therapeutic and disposable single-use vapes.³
The Australian Border Force and the Therapeutic Goods Administration will be given around $50M to enforce next year's legislation. However, at the same time, doctors and nurses will be provided greater powers to prescribe therapeutic vapes for appropriate use.⁴
All doctors in Australia will be allowed to prescribe vapes beginning in the new year. This will tweak current legislation that requires GPs to register in order to be able to prescribe them, which only 5% of GPs have done.⁵
Australia had announced the import ban in May this year but had not set a deadline. The Australian Medical Association has described the policy as a 'decisive action' that was 'very welcome.'⁶

Pro-establishment narrative, as provided by Health. While prescriptions for those in need will remain available, Australia's vaping ban will help stem the concerning rise of e-cigarette addiction among previously non-smoking youths. While vaping can be an effective medical tool, it must be kept minimal so as to reduce addiction. Australia has taken a bold step to protect its population's health.
Establishment-critical narrative, as provided by Technician. Banning vaping would merely push nicotine users towards unhealthier alternatives, with rising cigarette sales a possible outcome. Australia tried prohibiting vaping earlier, not because it is worse than smoking cigarettes, but because it is worse than not vaping at all. The focus should be on reducing nicotine levels within all smoking-related products, thereby limiting the source of substance addiction rather than setting fertile ground for a thriving black market.