Australian adults aged 18 and over will still be allowed to buy medicinal vapes from pharmacies with no prescription, under an amendment to the Federal Government’s proposed vaping legislation.
The Greens proposed the amendment in exchange for supporting the Government’s bill in the Senate.
It will allow adults to purchase plain-packaged, regulated vapes from a pharmacy without a prescription, following a conversation with a pharmacist. Under-18s will only be allowed to access vapes with a prescription.
Vaping legislation
Earlier this year, the Government introduced a bill to ban the supply of vapes outside of pharmacies and only make vapes available to people with a prescription.
The bill would also impose stricter controls over the domestic manufacturing of vapes.
The Government has a majority in the lower house and passed the legislation in May. However, it required the support of the Greens and at least two crossbenchers to pass the Senate.
Amendments
Changes to the bill were agreed by the Greens and the Labor Government on Monday.
Under the changes, those found in personal possession of vapes won’t face criminal charges. However, it will still be unlawful for commercial quantities of vapes to be sold by non-pharmacy retailers, including single vapes to individuals (like at convenience stores).
The law will also be subject to a review after three years.
No prescription necessary
Adults will need to speak with a pharmacist but won’t need a prescription from a GP in order to get a vape.
The pharmacist will need to check the buyer’s ID, outline the health dangers of vaping, and offer other alternatives to smoking.
The vapes will be stored behind the counter, meaning they won’t be freely available to purchase on the shelves, and will all contain a limited amount of nicotine.
Greens comments
Greens health spokesperson Jordon Steele-John said the changes will “ensure that vapes remain out of the hands of kids, but adults can access them via a pharmacy”.
He said he was “pleased” with the amendments, which he said would still promote adults quitting cigarette smoking.
The legislation is expected to pass Parliament this week.
Government response
Health Minister Mark Butler welcomed the support of The Greens, after what he described as “constructive engagement”.
Butler said the amendments would ensure that “those who really need access to a therapeutic vape for help to quit smoking can get one from their local pharmacy”.
Once passed, the legislation is due to come into effect from next Monday, while the amendments changing adult access to vapes in pharmacies will come into effect in October.
