Australia bans imports of disposable e-cigarettes from January 1, 2024

On November 28, Australian Health Minister Mark Butler said that starting from January 2024, the country will further tighten the control of e-cigarettes in a plan worth nearly 82 million AUD to reduce the number of young people using e-cigarettes.

Accordingly, starting from the beginning of 2024, Australia will ban the import of disposable e-cigarettes. At the same time, from this time, Australia will only allow the sale of e-cigarettes to people with a doctor's prescription.

From 1 March 2024, Australia will also not allow anyone to bring e-cigarettes from abroad into the country; prohibit the import of e-cigarettes not on the list prescribed by a doctor; require manufacturers and importers of e-cigarettes to notify authorities of imported products that meet quality standards; those who want to import e-cigarettes must apply for a license from Australian authorities.

At the same time, in 2024, Australia will also prevent the production, advertising, supply and possession of disposable and non-medicinal e-cigarettes in this country. Next year, Australia will also add more standards for therapeutic e-cigarettes such as limiting flavors, reducing nicotine concentration and packaging as a pharmaceutical product.

The ban on disposable e-cigarettes is aimed at reducing the “worrying” rise in e-cigarette use among young people in the country, Health Minister Mark Butler said.

Minister Butler said that e-cigarettes were once seen by governments as a way to help long-term smokers kick the habit. “They were not sold as a recreational product, certainly not as a product for our children, but now they are. Most e-cigarettes contain nicotine and young people are becoming addicted,” he said.

According to statistics, in recent years, the rate of young people using e-cigarettes in Australia has been increasing rapidly. Statistics for the first quarter of 2023 show that in Australia, about 14% of children aged 4 to 17 and 20% of people aged 18 to 24 use e-cigarettes. Data in Australia also shows that the rate of people who have used e-cigarettes and switched to tobacco has increased 3 times compared to those who have not used e-cigarettes. This fact makes Australian Health Minister Mark Butler determined to further tighten the control of e-cigarettes.

Australian Medical Association President Steve Robson praised the decision: “Australia is a world leader in reducing smoking rates and subsequent health risks, so the government’s decisive action to prevent the current situation of e-cigarette smoking and the harmful effects of this habit is very welcome.”

Along with measures to reduce the number of people using e-cigarettes, the Australian government will also spend nearly 30 million AUD to support people who want to quit smoking and e-cigarettes.

Minh Hoa (reported by VOV, Tin Tuc newspaper)

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