VicHealth welcomes proposed landmark e-cigarette legislation

VicHealth welcomes the introduction of landmark e-cigarette legislation today that will position Australia as a world leader in the fight against Big Tobacco and Big Vape.  

We strongly support the Government’s new legislation that will: 

• Ban importation, domestic manufacture, supply, commercial possession and advertising of all non-therapeutic and disposable vapes for retailers under a single national framework 
• Introduce new offences and civil penalty provisions for retailers of non-therapeutic and disposable vapes  
• Ensure patient access to legitimate therapeutic vapes through pharmacy settings and under appropriate health practitioner supervision 

VicHealth CEO, Dr Sandro Demaio said this legislation is a critical step in protecting future generations of Australians from the harms of tobacco and nicotine. 

 “Big Tobacco continues to find ways to undermine public health through increasingly sneaky marketing tactics,” Dr Demaio explained. 

“This new legislation ensures Australia will once again be a world leader in tobacco control. We commend Minister Butler’s continued advocacy and call on all sides of Parliament to put our kids’ health above the profits of Big Vape and Big Tobacco by supporting this new legislation.” 

"This legislation highlights the urgency required to protect young people from e-cigarettes, which are specifically designed to appeal to young people and threaten to unravel decades of Australia’s  hard work in tobacco control.” 

It comes as new VicHealth data reveals: 

• Almost 9 in 10 (86%) Victorian parents of children and 3 in 4 (76%) young Victorians said they were glad to see more being done by governments to protect young people from the harms associated with vapes” 
• 8 in 10 (84%) Victorian parents of children and 2 in 3 (62%) young Victorians “agree that vapes should be removed from sale, and only available to smokers trying to quit with a doctor’s prescription” 
• 9 in 10 (92%) of Victorian parents of children and 7 in 10 (72)% of young Victorians were a little concerned or very concerned about the availability of e-cigarettes (vapes) 

VicHealth is committed to working alongside all levels of government to protect, educate and support a new generation of Australians from the dangers of nicotine addiction. 

For free confidential support to quit smoking or vaping, call the Quitline on 13 78 48. You can also head to Quit to find updated resources to support quitting smoking and vaping. 

Media Contacts:

VicHealth media phone: 0485 938 328

Or email one of our staff: 

James Lindsey
e: [email protected] 

Sean Munaweera  
e: [email protected]