New Regulations Align E-cigarette Rules with Existing Smoking Bans to Protect Workers
Vaping and the use of e-cigarettes, including heated tobacco products, are now officially banned in all enclosed workplaces across Western Australia (WA). The state government has extended existing Work Health and Safety Regulations, which already covered tobacco smoking, to explicitly include these newer nicotine delivery systems.
Read moreChanges Under 2023 Act Aim to Discourage Smoking and Reduce Harm
Smokers across Australia will soon notice significant changes to cigarette and tobacco products as new federal laws under the Public Health (Tobacco and Other Products) Act 2023 take full effect. Retailers are already beginning to stock products compliant with the new regulations, which aim to further reduce smoking rates and protect public health by making tobacco less appealing and informative about quitting.
Read moreAustralia’s recent budgetary woes, with tobacco excise tax revenue nearly halved since 2019 and estimated cumulative losses of A$10 billion (€5.6 billion) by 2029, have been tied to the country’s thriving black markets for tobacco and nicotine products. Experts warn that this illicit trade boom is a direct consequence of Australia’s draconian approach to vaping regulation, which includes limiting the legal sale of vapes to pharmacies and implementing sweeping flavor bans.
Read moreAustralia is grappling with a rapidly expanding illicit tobacco market, a crisis marked by stark price discrepancies, lost tax revenue, and escalating organized crime. While a legal pack of 20 cigarettes costs around AUD $40 due to massive tax hikes, black market alternatives flood the streets for as little as AUD $15. This underground economy isn’t just about cheap smokes; it’s increasingly linked to violent crime, including extortion rackets and arson attacks targeting retailers involved in the trade. This alarming situation raises critical questions: are Australia’s tobacco control policies inadvertently fueling the very problems they aim to solve?
Read moreThe Crisafulli Government in Queensland is taking a tough stance against the illegal tobacco and vape trade by introducing the nation’s highest fines for shop owners caught supplying or possessing these illicit products. As of today, illegal operators will face on-the-spot fines exceeding $30,000, a significant increase from the weak penalties under the previous Labor Government.
Read moreAs of April 1, 2025, Australia has introduced a comprehensive set of new laws that significantly change the appearance, ingredients, and packaging of tobacco products. The Australian government passed this package of tobacco laws in late 2023, which includes several key measures:
Read moreSince October 2021, Australia has implemented strict regulations on nicotine-containing vaping products, classifying them as Schedule 4 prescription-only medicines under the Therapeutic Goods Act 1989. This means that to legally purchase or import e-cigarettes or nicotine vaping liquids in Australia, individuals must first obtain a valid nicotine prescription from a registered medical practitioner. This guide will walk you through the process of getting a nicotine prescription, the legal context surrounding these regulations, and alternative options for those looking to quit smoking.
Read moreThe Malinauskas Labor Government of South Australia has introduced new legislation to State Parliament, granting police greater powers and implementing tougher penalties to crack down on the illegal tobacco and vape trade. The new laws, developed in consultation with Police Commissioner Grant Stevens, aim to reduce criminal activity and protect the community from the risks associated with illicit tobacco and e-cigarette products.
Read moreTasmania has reinforced its vaping laws, making it mandatory for adults to obtain a doctor’s prescription to purchase e-cigarettes, e-liquid, and vaping devices starting April 1, 2025. This approach differs from other Australian states where certain e-cigarette products can be bought over the counter in pharmacies without a prescription.
Read moreA recent study conducted by a team of Australian and New Zealand academics has found that New Zealand’s adult smoking rate has fallen faster than Australia’s over the past decade, despite New Zealand starting with a higher rate in 2013. The researchers explored potential reasons for this difference, focusing on the contrasting approaches to vaping regulation in the two countries.
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