Vapes will be made available at pharmacies without a prescription after the Albanese government struck a deal with the Greens that will soften a proposed retail ban on e-cigarettes. Health Minister Mark Butler on Monday secured support from the minor party for Labor’s contentious plan that originally would have limited vape access to prescription-only pharmacy sales. While the ban will be in place from July 1 as originally intended, from October individuals will be able to purchase vapes from behind-the-counter following a conversation with a pharmacist about the health harms associated with vaping.
Individuals will be required to provide a form of ID to purchase vapes, while restrictions will also limit nicotine concentration. Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion. Children under the age of 18 will be still able to purchase vapes, but will require a doctor’s script to do so.
Possession of personal quantities of vaping products will not be subject to criminal charges, with penalties instead targeting possession and distribution of commercial amounts. Announcing the overhaul, Mr Butler, who had previously said behind-the-counter vape sales would be considered if the prescription-only plan was unsuccessful, said the deal had followed constructive engagement with the crossbench. “Our world-leading laws will return vapes and e-cigarettes to what they were originally sold to the Australian community and to governments around the.
