Tasmania set to get strongest vaping restrictions in the country in plan to override 'watered-down' federal law

ABC NEWS (Australia)

Tasmania could be set to have the strictest laws in the country for the sale of vapes or e-cigarettes. The Tasmanian government wants to lead the nation on vaping laws, sticking with stricter rules the federal government had tried to put in place.

Transcript

00:00Since the start of July, nicotine vapes in Australia have been regulated as therapeutic

00:07goods, meaning they're only available at pharmacies to help people quit smoking or

00:11manage nicotine dependence.

00:13It's illegal for any other business, like convenience stores, to sell any type of vape

00:18or vape product.

00:20Currently anyone who wants to buy a vape needs a prescription, but that will change from

00:24the start of October.

00:26From then, anyone over 18 will be able to buy one without a prescription.

00:31Under 18s will still need one.

00:33So what does Tasmania want to do?

00:35Well, the proposed laws would continue to require adults to have a prescription.

00:40Under 18s would be banned from buying vape products.

00:44This was the proposal that would apply across Australia.

00:48Unfortunately, the federal government has let us down and has watered down those vaping

00:54reforms.

00:56We don't support that.

00:57We are stepping up to protect the health and welfare of the Tasmanian people.

01:02This is not the first time Tasmania has gone its own way with anti-smoking laws.

01:07In 2006, it was the first Australian state to introduce a total indoor smoking ban.

01:13It was followed by other states and territories.

01:16Tasmania's health minister hopes that happens again.

01:18Absolutely.

01:19I mean, all the health ministers of Australia supported this proposal, literally, back in

01:26May.

01:27We very much welcome that Tasmanian pharmacists won't be put in that difficult position to

01:32be providing potentially harmful vapes to the community.

01:36The Tasmanian government will introduce legislation into parliament in the coming weeks.

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