Pittwater Life January 2024 Issue

Vapes now by
prescription only
Mackellar Independent MP Dr
Sophie Scamps has welcomed
the decision by Federal
Health Minister Mark Butler to ban
the importation of single-use vapes
from January 1 and to treat them as
therapeutic products that require a
prescription.
“It is great news that from January
1 nicotine-laced e-cigarettes can no
longer be sold legally to our children,”
Dr Scamps said.
“This is something I have been
advocating for since I was elected,” she
said.
Dr Scamps said so-called ‘convenience
stores’ selling snacks and vapes had
popped up in several locations around
Mackellar in the past year, with parents
“very upset” about the stores being
typically located close to schools and
bus stops used by school kids.
“It’s not just Mackellar – throughout
Australia there has been a proliferation
of these stores in locations frequented
by children,” she said.
“This is not without motive. ‘Big
tobacco’ knows that children who use
vapes are three times’ more likely to
take up tobacco smoking.
“Vapes are a gateway drug to
smoking. From my perspective as a
doctor, I welcome Minister Butler’s
strong action on this.”
The Government has confirmed the
importation of single-use vapes will be
banned from January 1.
Medical practitioners and nurse
practitioners will be able to prescribe
vapes, with patients able to fill their
script at pharmacies.
The Government will also introduce
legislation to prevent domestic
manufacture, advertisement, supply
and commercial possession of nontherapeutic
and disposable single-use
vapes.
The Government will provide an
additional $25m to the Australian Border
Force and $56.9m to the Therapeutic
Goods Administration over two years for
enforcement.
– Lisa Offord
SINGLE-USE
BAN: From Jan 1.
Health & Wellbeing
The Local Voice Since 1991
JANUARY 2024 55