Tasmania is taking a nation-leading step to protect our young people and wider community, with the passing of tighter vaping regulations in the House of Assembly.
With the support of health and education stakeholders, the Public Health Amendment (Vaping) Bill 2024 will see Tasmanians continue to need a prescription to use e-cigarettes.
Minister for Mental Health and Wellbeing, Roger Jaensch, said more than 500 Tasmanians a year die from smoking related illnesses.
"That is 500 families, friends, colleagues and communities that have lost a loved one, and that is why the Tasmanian Government is committed to strong action against the unproven smoking cessation method of vaping,'' Minister Jaensch said.
"This Bill is designed to curb the rising tide of youth vaping, safeguarding the health of future generations.''
On 1 July 2024, the Commonwealth restricted the sale of e-cigarettes to pharmacies, accessible by doctor's prescription only.
The Commonwealth laws then changed on 1 October 2024, removing the requirement to have a prescription to buy e-cigarette products in a pharmacy.
"This Bill maintains the requirement to have a doctor's prescription to access e-cigarettes as part of medically supervised cessation strategy,'' Minister Jaensch said.
To be clear, the sale of e-cigarettes, e-liquid and vaping devices to people aged under 18 remains prohibited in Tasmania.
As an interim measure before the Bill could be debated, Public Health issued guidelines in October to maintain prescription requirements for the supply of e-cigarettes.
Taking a preventative health approach builds on our 2030 Strong Plan to build a healthier State for Tasmanians now and future generations.
The Bill will go before the Legislative Council in 2025.
To support young people to quit vaping the Department of Health has also implemented information resources, which can be accessed here (www.health.tas.gov.au/vaping).
