Australia Implements Ban on Disposable Vapes to Tackle Rising Teen Nicotine Addiction

(CTN News) – To combat youth nicotine addiction, Australia will begin banning the import of disposable vapes in January.

Additionally, new legislation will be presented to prohibit the production, marketing, and distribution of single-use vape pens within the nation.

It is part of a larger movement to outlaw recreational vaping.

According to Australia’s health minister, vaping has resulted in a “new generation of nicotine dependency” despite its marketing as a smoking cessation technology.

Electronic cigarettes, or vapes, use lithium batteries to power liquids that include nicotine and artificial flavorings, among other compounds.

Even though it has been unlawful for any Australian to import or buy electronic cigarettes or nicotine vapes without a prescription from a doctor since 2021, the rates of addiction have nevertheless skyrocketed.

Nine out of ten teens in the same age range found nicotine vapes easily accessible, according to data from Country’s Cancer Council charity, while a survey conducted earlier this year by the University of Sydney indicated that more than 25% of 14–17 year olds had vaporized nicotine.

“All  governments are committed to working together to stop the disturbing growth in vaping among our young people,” stated Mark Butler, the federal health minister spearheading the ban.

Concrete Timeline Set: Import Ban on Disposable Vapes Starts January 1, 2024

The Australian government has finally revealed a date for the planned elimination of single-use vapes, after hinting at the possibility in May but offering no specifics.

According to Mr. Butler, the prohibition on disposable vapes will go into effect on January 1st, and by March, the same ban will be extended to refillable non-therapeutic vapes.

There will be stricter government regulation on the flavors, nicotine levels, and packaging of therapeutic vapes, and both producers and importers of these goods will need to adhere to this.

Experts have voiced concerns over vaping’s potential long-term effects.

The practice has been associated with asthma and chronic lung disease, according to research from Johns Hopkins University.

In addition, research in Australia has shown that vape liquids include “a suite of chemicals” that can harm lung health.

The move by Australia follows days of tax reduction in New Zealand, which led the world in banning smoking.