Non-therapeutic nicotine vaping products (NVPs) sold outside of pharmacies are now illegal according to the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA)’s new regulations, but it doesn’t mean NVPs have been removed from Australia entirely.
Today, motivated smokers have a legal pathway towards using NVPs for smoking cessation – by obtaining a prescription to purchase NVPs from pharmacies.
Unlike non-therapeutic vapes, pharmacy-sold NVPs are responsibly made and used solely for smoking cessation. With thorough inhalation safety tests and compliance to medical and GMP manufacturing practices, you’re using a tool intended to help you stop smoking for good.
There’s probably some questions on your mind, such as, “how do I get a vape prescription in Australia?” and “What are the requirements to purchase them from any local pharmacy?”
Chat to a prescriber
Bulk-billed phone consultations
TGA-authorised clinicians
Nicotine vaping scripts available
Let’s answer these questions and more in today’s post.
The Legal Landscape for Vaping in Australia
The era of free-selling any kind of NVP in Australia anywhere from corner stores to groceries has come to an end.
On 1 March 2024, the TGA banned the importation of non-therapeutic vapes in Australia and will require sellers to obtain special permits to import and sell them locally.
The TGA also points out that NVPs are only lawfully supplied if sold in a pharmacy to patients with prescriptions. So, if you purchased an NVP outside a pharmacy and without any prescriptions, you’re breaking the law.
However, if you’ve purchased your illegal NVP before 1 March 2024, you won’t be in harm’s way as the TGA is only targeting importers, retailers, and criminal groups who profit from these low quality, illegal products.
You can still use that NVP in your possession, but we recommend disposing of it and switching to pharmacy NVPs to ensure you’re using a product intended to help you stop smoking.
Eligibility Criteria for a Vape Prescription
We’ve mentioned that you can access NVPs from pharmacies if you have a vape prescription. Anyone with a willingness to stop smoking for good without any minimum number of attempts or years attempted is eligible for a vape prescription.
You should also be willing to work with a stop-smoking GP to obtain a vape prescription. However, do note that since NVPs are second-line tools for stopping smoking, you’ll have to use the first-line tools first – nicotine replacement therapy or NRT.
These are the patches, gums, inhalers, and lozenges that contain a small nicotine dose to help wean you off smoking and are the safest tools available. Once your GP determines that your previous quit attempts with NRT won’t do you any good, they may provide a prescription for NVPs you can buy from pharmacies.
The Prescription Process: A Step-by-Step Guide
How to get a vape prescription in Australia? Here is the step-by-step process (it’s very easy):
1.Self-Checks and Motivation
As any GP will tell any motivated smoker that smoking cessation programmes and tools, even NVPs, can only work if you’re fully motivated to stop smoking.
Find your motivation. Is it because of a critical disease or want to carry your daughter’s newborn child without smelling like smoke and potentially causing harm? Or is it because smoking is hitting your back pocket, and you need some extra to fund your child’s college or pay for your mortgage?
Once you find your motivation and willingness to stop smoking, you’re well on your way to quitting for good.
2.Choosing the Right Healthcare Provider
Only GPs – no one else – can provide NVP prescriptions to patients. Furthermore, GPs are well-equipped and experienced to evaluate your quitting journey so far and the best way to help you.
Today, all GPs in Australia can prescribe NVPs to patients if they deem it necessary. After you go through NRT and upon their evaluation, they can prescribe NVPs form pharmacies where necessary.
You can get a prescription through the following:
Most people choose telehealth quit clinics, which are the most affordable option. These have qualified GPs who can motivate and help you on your quit journey. However, keep in mind that quit clinics – especially free ones that do not charge anything – might not be the best when it comes to helping you quit, so watch out.
On the other hand, you can head to your local hospital and see a GP. While not the most affordable option, they can evaluate your quit journey and guide you on your journey. Just make sure you choose a GP with in-depth experience in NRT and NVPs.
3. Understanding Your Prescription
Once your GP deems that NVPs are necessary, they will write you a prescription. Your prescription will indicate the dosage needed. Just show this document to your local pharmacy, and they would know exactly what to provide you.
Now, 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.
Your prescription might have a note that includes how to use your NVP correctly – make sure to understand this as it is a crucial part that makes NVPs from pharmacies work for smoking cessation.
If there are no instructions, you can ask your pharmacist on how to operate, use, and maintain your NVP.
4. Legal and Safe Usage of Prescribed Nicotine Vapes
The NVP you’ve purchased from a pharmacy is responsibly made for smoking cessation, but it doesn’t mean everyone else should inhale its vapours. According to the smokefree laws in Australia, NVPs can only be used in designated smoking areas and cannot be used anywhere cigarettes are banned.
At home, only use it in open areas without any people around or in a room without anybody in it.
The bottom line is, make sure to keep in mind where you use your NVPs, especially if the laws and other people around.
Summary
Now that you know how to get a vape prescription in Australia and its requirements, you can confidently stop smoking using a product that’s medically supported and designed to help you stop smoking for good.
If you need further help in stopping smoking, you’re in the right place.
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 friendly Australian healthcare professionals who excel in helping patients quit smoking for good, including via the use of pharmacy NVPs.