Tasmania is going against the grain of new national vaping regulations from today by maintaining its current restrictions, which require a doctor’s prescription to purchase e-cigarettes.
The national laws, which came into effect today, allow adults in some mainland states to buy certain e-cigarette products over the counter at pharmacies without a prescription.
However, Tasmania’s Director of Public Health Mark Veitch says the state will keep its existing laws in place, meaning adults will still need a prescription to obtain e-cigarettes, e-liquid and vaping devices from a pharmacy.
“The sale of e-cigarettes, e-liquid and vaping devices to people aged less than 18 years [also] remains prohibited in Tasmania,” he said.
Veitch’s decision comes as the state government debates the Public Health Amendment (Vaping) Bill 2024 in parliament.
Under the proposed legislation, the sale of e-cigarettes and vaping products would be restricted to people with a perscription, and only those over the age of 18.
