Can You Gift Vapes to a Smoker?

When giving gifts, people often feel a sense of joy and connection, especially when the gift is thoughtful and meaningful.

If you have a friend or family member who’s trying to quit smoking, you might think a vape would make a great present for their birthday or another special occasion. 

The idea of harm reduction through gifting a vape may be well-meaning, but here are a few things to keep in mind:

• Medically-approved vapes should only be bought with a doctor’s prescription as part of a proper smoking cessation plan. 
• Illegally sold vapes, often found in convenience stores, could actually worsen nicotine addiction and cause further harm.

So, gifting a vape isn’t as straightforward as it seems. Instead, let’s look at other ways you can support your loved ones on their journey to quit smoking for good.

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  Bulk-billed phone consultations
  TGA-authorised clinicians
  Nicotine vaping scripts available

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The Timeline of Vaping Restrictions and Regulations

In October 2021, the government made vapes available by prescription only, aiming to limit their sale to smokers trying to quit. 

But weak enforcement allowed unregulated products to be sold to anyone, even kids as young as 5. 

In May 2023, stricter rules and tougher enforcement were brought in to stop the black market and protect young people from nicotine addiction.

NVPs Require Scripts for Purchase

Under the new rules, you can only get NVPs from pharmacies with a GP’s prescription. 

To get a prescription, you need to be actively trying to quit smoking and have previously tried other treatments like NRT.

While you can’t just give vapes as a gift, you can encourage a smoker to talk to a local GP about their options. 

You can also support them during their smoking cessation programme and even pick up the prescribed NVP for them. 

It may not be a surprise gift, but you can wrap it up nicely to make it special. 

Even without the element of surprise, this thoughtful gesture demonstrates that you genuinely care and are there to support their efforts.

Why Illegal NVPs Are a Bad Gift Idea

While heavy enforcement is ramping up nationwide, these dangerous products may still be found in some convenience stores and tobacconists for the time being.

While it’s true you can buy a disposable vape gift set without a script, you’re actually endangering your loved one. If your reasoning for this gift is harm reduction, it’s actually achieving the opposite.

Illicit vapes contain numerous dangerous chemicals, and even heavy metals such as nickel and lead, which are extremely dangerous to the body. They’re made in unknown conditions with no focus on (or even concern of) human health, being made as cheaply as possible for maximum profits to their criminal sellers.

We strongly recommend that you do not purchase illicit NVPs. They are made to be highly addictive and to create a whole new generation of nicotine addicts.

Illegal NVPs May Increase Addiction

Unfortunately, product safety is only half of the problem with illegal NVPs. A smoker without proper medical guidance and a plan is at high risk of actually increasing their dependence on nicotine.

If NVP consumption is not advised and monitored by a professional, it’s highly likely that smokers will become dual-users – that is, smoking and vaping at the same time.

Rather than using vapes to replace cigarettes, many smokers who also vape without guidance are likely just filling in the gaps in their day where smoking wasn’t possible. This increase in constant puffing, paired with the hand-to-mouth movement, greatly increases the body’s dependence on nicotine, and the rate of consumption that it’ll require to have them feeling whole again. 

The route pharmacy NVPs have taken in the country is the most viable and compassionate option for motivated smokers worldwide, and ensures that they stay on track and stay away from smoking. 

By having a GP oversee their quitting journey and by joining a smoking cessation group, they find the best and most seamless path towards kicking smoking and nicotine addiction for good.

Great Gifts to Motivate Heavy Smokers to Quit

NVPs aren’t the only things you can gift to inspire motivated smokers to quit their habit for good. 

Here are some great alternatives.

• Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) Products: These are first-line quitting aids that satisfy nicotine cravings with a small dose of nicotine. But remember, just like pharmacy vapes, they’re far more effective if your loved one goes through a smoking cessation programme.
• Inspirational Books: Books from various authors on stopping smoking and addiction can inspire motivated smokers to quit. Other inspirational books that don’t tackle smoking directly may also be a great gift idea.
• Fitness Tracker: Any person, even smokers, would probably not let a high-quality fitness tracker go to waste, giving them inspiration to start getting physically fit.
• Aromatherapy Diffuser: Diffused aromatic oil introduces a relaxing, gentle feeling to the room.
• Healthy Snack Basket: Keeping a motivated smoker’s hands and mouth busy is crucial during the first few weeks of quitting. Gift them a healthy snack basket with nuts, trail mixes, and fruits.
• Quit Smoking Support Kit: This kit contains personalised items such as stress balls, herbal teas, sugar-free candies, and a personally named (printed or sewn) quit smoking journal to inspire the motivated smoker to quit smoking for good.

How Can I Get Pharmacy Vaping Products?

Here are the steps any motivated smoker can take to purchase NVPs from pharmacies.

Chat to a GP

It’s important that motivated smokers go through a smoking cessation programme to give them direction during the quitting process. GPs are also the only ones authorised to provide NVP prescriptions.

Go Through First-Line Solutions First

NVPs aren’t the first-line solution for smoking cessation. As much as possible, using proven medicines and aids is the priority – in this case NRT products. 

The Second Line Solution

If your GP deems NRT products aren’t working for you, they can prescribe pharmacy NVPs. Your GP will also recommend the proper way to use and consume your NVP for the best chance at success.

Summary

While it’s not possible to give a vape gift set to a smoker without a prescription, there are other alternatives you can give on a special occasion to make them feel great and inspire them to quit. 

Still, the best course of action for NVPs is to go through a smoking cessation programme with trusted pharmacy products – it ensures motivated smokers have a product they can confidently inhale and feel safe in using.

We know you’re here because you want to gift a vape for someone to help them stop quitting. We hope you found this information useful, and we can still help your loved one or you to stop smoking for good. 

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.

Link Reference

• https://www.bmj.com/content/381/bmj.p1014
• https://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/health/health-problems/aussie-kindergarteners-caught-in-vaping-trend-principal-claims/news-story/ee3b6b89457c9e6e089b535abe89170b
• https://www.bbc.com/news/health-65614078
• https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/campaign/tips/diseases/dual-tobacco-use.html