Are Vapes Banned in Victoria?

You’ve probably heard the news about a vaping ban on all non-therapeutic nicotine vaping products (NVPs) in the country. 

To answer the question, “are vapes banned in Victoria?,” only non-prescription vapes not sold through pharmacies are being banned. These are the typical vapes you’ve mostly seen in groceries and convenience stores, and they’re being banned for very good reason.

Here’s all that you need to know.

Concerns Over High Vaping Rates: Statistical Insights

NVPs came to Australia as early as 2007, but they didn’t really pick up in popularity for over a decade when it was reported that around 550,000 Australians were using these products.

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In just a few more short years, the number of NVP users in Australia has nearly tripled – around 1.7 million people are now using these products – a number that is increasing by 30% annually due to the explosion of illegal and unregulated disposable NVPs being sold in tobacconists, corner stores and even children’s toy shops.

As you can guess, the intent behind the increase of illegal NVP users is to create a new generation of nicotine addicts to profit from, instead of helping motivated smokers quit.

Lax age verification measures and irresponsible business practices have placed illegal NVPs within reach of many teenagers and even children as young as five years old – the ones that have never smoked a cigarette in the first place.

What Vapes are Being Banned in Victoria?

Illegal NVPs have unknown manufacturing origins and are sold by criminal groups focused on turning over a huge profit. Because they lack manufacturing standards, they can be extremely dangerous – nickel and lead, along with foreign saliva, has been found inside these products. 

Most certainly, you don’t want any of these to touch your mouth, let alone your lungs.

These vapes are highly illegal, yet they’re sold almost everywhere with careless disregard. Given the way they’re marketed and the locations they’re sold from, they’re made to maximise profit ($1 wholesale inflated up to a 3,500% markup).

On the other hand, legal NVPs are made purely for smoking cessation. Manufacturers follow stringent medical standards and GMP guidelines. They’re also rigorously tested for inhalation safety and are locally insured, just like other medicines.

Motivated smokers can purchase these through their local pharmacies with a prescription from a GP.

When are Vapes Being Banned in Victoria? 

As of 1 March 2024, any NVP you purchase outside a pharmacy without a GP’s prescription is illegal. 

This is actually good news for people trying to quit (both cigarettes and illegal vapes), but it’s bad news for the criminals looking to profit from illegal vapes. 

Smokers and illegal vape users can now go through a proper quitting journey and have access to medically supported, rigorously tested, responsible vaping products to quit for good.

Navigating Prescriptions Amidst a Vape Ban in Victoria

If you’re a motivated smoker or illegal vape user looking to use NVPs for smoking cessation, you have nothing to worry about regarding the crack down on illegal vapes in Victoria. You can still access vapes under a smoking cessation journey. 

Here’s how you can get started.

Go Through First-Line Solutions First

You need a nicotine prescription before you can purchase NVPs. As a second-line solution, one requirement is that you’ve already tried and failed to quit smoking with a first-line treatment, such as NRT products. 

NRT products (like patches and gums) are the most trusted quitting option available for motivated smokers. They might not imitate cigarettes, but they contain a small dose of nicotine that may be enough to alleviate your withdrawals.

While NRTs can be effective, they don’t work for everyone. If these haven’t done the trick for you, you may now be eligible for a nicotine prescription.

Chat to a GP

As mentioned, NRT products have worked for many successful ex-smokers. But, you might have ingrained behaviours and triggers that only something that mimics a cigarette can successfully address, such as the hand-to-mouth motion, and needing something to use while having a drink with friends. 

If your GP deems it necessary, they can write you a nicotine prescription for NVPs. 

You can chat to your usual GP about this, or book a phone chat with an authorised prescriber of nicotine.

Visit Your Local Pharmacy

Once you have your nicotine prescription, you can pop down to your local pharmacy. Over 2,200 pharmacies across Australia hold these products in-store, but any pharmacy can order these in for you if they don’t currently stock them.

Both your pharmacist and GP can advise you on how best to use the product, such as the initial setup, and the number of puffs to take when you feel withdrawals.

The Impact of Regulatory Changes to Vapers 

Importers and sellers of illegal vapes will feel the most pain from the regulation changes.

But, any smoker or illegal vape user who wishes to stop smoking or vaping can go through a smoking cessation journey. 

Any GP can prescribe NVPs if they assess it can help their patient.

Adapting to the New Vaping Landscape

Motivated smokers and illegal vape users now have widespread access to a medically responsible NVP designed as an aid for smoking cessation, and without the dangers of illegal NVPs. Illegal vape users can quickly adapt to the new vaping landscape by going through this pathway with their GP.

It’s important to keep in mind that pharmacy-available NVPs are only second-line solutions. You’ll need to go through NRT and be assessed by a GP if your quit attempt with these has been ineffective.

Smokefree Clinic – Your Partner in Quitting Smoking

Are vapes banned in Victoria? No, only the illegal, dangerous and counterfeit products designed to get Australia’s youth addicted while profiting criminal parties are being removed. Responsible NVPs from pharmacies are becoming more and more widespread and attainable for those looking to quit for good.

So, if you’re ready to quit smoking or illegal vaping, we can help.

Smokefree Clinic gives you access to many medically reviewed and trustworthy resources that can inform and aid you in your path to wellness, so have a look around! 

If you’re ready to get started, Smokefree can connect you to Australian healthcare professionals who excel in helping patients quit smoking for good, including via the use of pharmacy NVPs.

Click here to book in with a doctor today.