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Pharmacists can now supply nicotine vaporizers without a prescription. But accessing them may not be that uncomplicated
Sep
From today, October 1stup-to-date changes to Australia’s vaping product laws should make it easier for adults to operate low-dose nicotine vapes as a smoking cessation tool.
Pharmacists will be able to supply vaporizers containing up to 2% nicotine without a prescription after consulting the patient.
People under 18 will still need a prescription to access a vape pen, while anyone looking for a vape pen with a higher dose of nicotine will still need a prescription.
So how did we get here? Will these changes make it easier for people to access nicotine vaporizers to support them quit smoking?
A number of changes to regulations regarding vaporization
Evidence suggests that vape pens containing a can of nicotine help people quit smokingand may be more effective than other nicotine replacement therapies. For people who have not had success with other methods, using vaporizers quit smoking may be a reasonable option to try.
Vaping is certainly not without risks. However, vaporizers emit far away lower levels of harmful chemicals compared to cigarettes, so the health risks from vaping are likely much lower than from smoking.
Since 2012, Australians have had this he needed a prescription to access nicotine-containing vapes, while in most of Australia, non-nicotine-containing vapes could be sold on the same terms as tobacco products.
However, many vaporizers sold under the guise of being nicotine-free contained undeclared nicotine. Not many Australians received a prescriptioneven if you operate vaporizers to quit smoking.
Encouraged by reports of a rapid boost in vaping among adolescent people, Health Secretary Mark Butler launched a series of changes to federal regulations aimed at: displacing recreational vaping.
These reforms began in 2024 with a total ban on the import of single-use vaping products from January 1. As of March 1, retailers such as tobacco shops were allowed to deplete existing vape supplies but could not legally restock. Individuals could no longer import vaporizers for personal operate, even if they had a prescription.
ON July 1stfurther changes banned general retail sales of vaporizers regardless of nicotine content. Only pharmacies could supply prescription vaporizers for therapeutic purposes.
From July 1, there were also changes in the types of vaporizers available in pharmacies – all flavored vaporizers other than tobacco, mint and menthol were banned. The idea is that these vaping products will be less attractive to adolescent people.
Effective today, changes in federal regulations allow pharmacists to provide low-dose nicotine vape pens without a prescription.
There may be some barriers
The changes launched today aim to balance adults’ access to vaporizers for therapeutic purposes with the need to protect adolescent people from taking up vaping by maintaining medical supervision of the supply. Eliminating the requirement for a prescription for some patients should also free up GP time and reduce costs.
People who are heavily dependent on nicotine, such as bulky smokers, may need a larger dose of nicotine to effectively relieve withdrawal symptoms after quitting smoking. The 2% limit for over-the-counter sales corresponds to concentration limits imposed in some other countries, e.g United Kingdom.
Another advantage of the change is that it is in line with the government’s intentions not punishing individual people for using vaporizers. Unauthorized possession of a prescription drug is a grave offense that can result in significant fines and financial penalties prison conditions in some jurisdictions. Concerns have been raised about whether this is the most appropriate classification for vaporizers when cigarettes remain widely available without similar restrictions and penalties.
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However, patients who want to purchase vaporizers directly from a pharmacy may still face some barriers. Many pharmacists disagreed with removing the prescription requirement for several reasons.
Firstly, an amendment to abolish the prescription requirement has been announced without formal public consultation process and with a very compact implementation time (about three months).
Although pharmacists have been providing prescription vaporizers for some time, the primary responsibility rests with the prescribing physician. Some pharmacists are like that expressed concern whether their professional liability insurance will cover over-the-counter deliveries, as vaporizers are not approved as medicines. Others may object to providing vaporizers because they see it as selling cigarettes.
Some pharmacies also struggle with practical issues, such as having enough staff and private space to provide appropriate counseling. Under new lawsthe pharmacist must consult with the patient to confirm that the vape is clinically appropriate before delivery and to obtain approval to supply a product that is not an approved medicine.
Given these concerns, some pharmacies may decide to continue providing vaporizers only to adults with a prescription. Others may also choose not to store vaporizers.
There may also be differences in access across the country as states and territories may impose further restrictions. For example, the Parliament of Tasmania considering the bill which, if passed, would maintain current restrictions on the supply of vaporizers in Tasmania (prescription required for adults and supply banned for under 18s).
Meanwhile, Western Australia announced that it will also maintain the current prescription requirement. Other states may follow suit, too.
Nicotine vaporizers are one of several options
Vapey is one of a range of smoking cessation products available over the counter from pharmacies, including nicotine patches, mouth sprays, gums and lozenges.
From today, a up-to-date option, the so-called cytisinea non-nicotine smoking cessation drug may also be available without prescription in some pharmacies.
Therefore, people looking for support in quitting smoking should talk to their pharmacist or Resignation line about the full range of options available to find the best one for you.
