I would like to see information specific to the Australian vaping community.
I have not smoked a single puff of tobacco for 5+ years, all thanks to vaping. But the nation I live in has seriously impacted the vaping community’s ability to access vaping products, although cigarettes and tobacco are still readily and easily available.
So many vaping companies have lost their businesses and income because of the vaping restrictions. Some are operating illegally; yes despite them selling vape juice WITHOUT nicotine added.
All we hear about is “the safety of the kids!” - the kids the kids the kids. What about us grown adults? (I am FAR from being a child!) Be under no illusion, kids will now access cigarettes from somewhere, they always have and always will. And it was never legal to sell vaping products to underage people to start with.
The vaping products we CAN access legally have increased in price, and the juice is limited to 3 flavours: non-flavour, tobacco flavour and [puke] menthol flavour.
I would like to see a place here for us Australian vapers to get together to share stories, ideas, or simply a place to whine and let off steam.
CatW, I guess I’m confused and in the dark here. Do you mean to say that in Australia you can’t get fruit flavors, candy flavors, or other flavors in nicotine, no nicotine and menthol that is added to both nic and no nic flavors? And can you get e-juice or nic salt as opposed to the devices? Aren’t you able to shop in online stores? There are online stores everywhere and you can put in a large order and usually get free shipping or smaller orders and pay for shipping. Would you be able to get the flavors you want if you did that? Are there restrictions placed on what can be imported? Are they considered to be the same type of import as illegal drugs? I don’t know enough about it to say so I’m asking to be educated by you.
I’m just curious because here in the USA, we have come up against limitations for vaping as well. I don’t think that is exclusive to Australia. Products here have been removed from convenience stores for the most part (though some are still there) due to the purchasing of those by kids. And we have large taxes on all tobacco products vape or standard. I think that may be pervasive across the globe. Restrictions here are about the same as they are for alcohol. You must be over 21 to purchase vape products, nic or no nic. I think, as you said, kids will always find a way to get the tobacco products they want. I know for a fact they are getting them online here using fake IDs. So even when asked for an ID by an online retailer, they can get products using a fake ID. Fake IDs aren’t hard to get here in the USA. I don’t know if online retailers can spot a fake or not as I’m an oldster so I’m not worried about it!
Did the vaping community put up any kind of concerted, cohesive arguments against the restrictions? I would think smoking and chew are both still allowed in Australia, though they would probably be regulated as to age as they are here. And are importation laws would be the same as they are for vapes?
As I say, I am uneducated as to Australia and would be glad to weep with you if I knew what I was weeping for! I’m glad that the USA is still, at this point in time, allowing us to have b and m stores for vapes as well as the purchase online of vape products! But the availability is slowly being legislated away. I fear someday we won’t be able to get products. I hope I’m not still around to see that day as I’m addicted to my vape. I feel much healthier vaping than I did when I smoked so I’m grateful for vape products! Keep them coming!
Nice to hear from you Shasta!
Yes this situation is limited to Australia. If we try to buy from online shops we are barred from doing so.
I bought a lot from Vape World Australia, they have got around losing their business by becoming Pharmacy World Australia. They abide by all the legislation and give links and information regarding the legislation.
We cannot get those flavours you mentioned, and if I was to order juice from Pharmacy World Australia I would be limited to 3 flavours, also with nicotine added.
This is not useful to me because prior to the ban on sale of liquid nicotine because I add to vape flavours without nicotine. I bought up 5+ years of nicotine prior to the bans that began in 2020. So if I was to buy vape juice online at legal vendors I would in fact be substantially increasing my nicotine intake.
So yes, if you can get your hands of flavours even without nicotine this is considered the same as buying an illegal drug.
Vape products are completely removed from all stores. Pharmacies put signs on this doors which say “we do not sell vapes here”.
I hope you can see this link:
Here is the legislation:
As of July 1, 2024, in Australia, vapes can only be purchased from pharmacies. The laws aim to reduce the use of vapes by young people.
Who can buy vapes
People aged 18 and over can buy vapes with a nicotine concentration of 20 mg/mL or less without a prescription
People under 18 need a doctor’s prescription
Where can I buy vapes
Vapes can only be sold in pharmacies for the purpose of helping people quit smoking or manage nicotine dependence
It’s illegal for other businesses to sell vapes, including tobacconists, vape shops, and convenience stores
Penalties for breaches
The maximum penalties for breaches of the new laws include up to seven years in jail per offense and up to $21.9 million per contravention
Other vaping restrictions
Flavors will be limited to mint, menthol, or tobacco
Packaging will be a plain pharmaceutical style
People who need vapes with a higher concentration of nicotine will require a prescription
Oh here is another reply to a question you asked: YES!! The vaping community DID put up a BIG concerted effort to stop this legislation and we were successful in a way - the country moved from a complete and total ban on vaping to this legislation to where you can buy from pharmacies. I’ve not yet found a pharmacy that sells vapes and juice etc.
The community signed petitions, contacted law makers and members of government. We fought up to the last minute. We are lucky that we are allowed to vape at all. And disposable vapes are completely banned.
"No, disposable vapes are not legal in Australia. The Therapeutic Goods and Other Legislation Amendment (Vaping Reforms) Act 2024 banned the sale of disposable vapes in Australia on July 1, 2024.
Why are disposable vapes banned?
To help curb addiction
To protect young people from nicotine addiction
To reduce the availability of vapes to those who might be tempted to use them"
No you can’t anymore. I can and do but I’m not being legal about it. I have always DIY, and this is why the new laws don’t suit me at all. They are offering juice that is either way too high in nicotine for me or none at all. I am still using nicotine I stocked up on in 2020 which is why that ban came in. It is dire here. Other countries will not ship to Australia.
Hey CatW, I hear you! It’s frustrating to see vaping, which has helped so many adults quit smoking, being restricted like this. The situation in Australia seems unfair when cigarettes remain so accessible. Hopefully, we can create a space here to share resources and support each other. Stay strong, mate!
I totally get where you’re coming from. I switched to vaping years ago, and it’s been life-changing. Seeing these restrictions tighten while tobacco products stay on the shelves is beyond frustrating. I wish policymakers would focus on harm reduction rather than blanket bans. Hope this community can be a space for Aussie vapers to connect and share workarounds.
Same here in the netherlands. Only tobacco flavors are allowed. But im not on an island so I can just import from other EU countries.
It sucks really bad that you guys arent allowed to vape other flavors. They say its to protect the kids but that is such a nonsense answer. Like adults dont enjoy fruity flavors? Not to mention all the alcohol they sell in stores with idk how much sugar added and bright colors.
I dont know how or why, and it feels like Im putting on a tinfoil hat but im pretty sure the cigarettes companies did this so people couldnt switch to vaping as easily.
I started with a tobacco flavor in my vape when I started and I HATED it. All it did was make me think of a real cigarette. Now I just vape fruity flavors and I enjoy it much more than a cigarette. If I was forced to only buy between three tobacco flavored eliquids I wouldnt know if I could keep vaping.
Thank god I quit smoking long enough to know I wouldnt go back to smoking anyway. I really dont want to get cancer.
I absolutely agree that the tobacco companies are behind this because they are threatened by vaping. It is bizarre that our government wants to kill off vaping but has no problem with keeping cigarettes on the shelves.