Changes to Australia’s vaping laws commenced from July 2024.

Vapes and vaping products (regardless of whether they contain nicotine or not) can now only be purchased and sold in pharmacies. It is illegal for any other retailer (including tobacconists, vape shops and convenience stores) to sell any type of vape or vaping product, and vapes cannot legally be purchased from overseas retailers or websites for personal use. The importation and sale of disposable vapes is also banned.

Vapes sold in pharmacies are available for the purpose of helping people to quit smoking or manage nicotine dependence. Flavours are restricted to mint, menthol and tobacco, and vapes must have plain pharmaceutical packaging.

Adults (aged 18+) can buy therapeutic vapes with a nicotine concentration of 20mg/mL or less from a participating pharmacy without a prescription (where state and territory laws allow) for smoking cessation and the management of nicotine dependence. A pharmacist must speak with them first about how to use therapeutic vapes for these purposes, other smoking cessation medicines available, and options for support. Young people aged under 18 must have a prescription to purchase vapes (where state and territory laws allow).

In addition, individual states and territories may also have other laws regarding purchasing or using vapes (for example, that restrict where vaping is allowed or provide different penalties for selling vapes).

To stay up-to-date about how vapes are regulated in Australia, visit the Therapeutic Goods Administration Vaping Hub.