Vapes (electronic cigarettes)

The Australian Government has introduced laws for vape (electronic cigarette) products aimed at reducing the harms caused by vaping, especially among young people.

Under the new laws:  

• Vapes (also known as e-cigarettes) can only be sold in pharmacies, regardless of whether they have nicotine in them or not  

• non-pharmacy retailers, such as tobacconists, vape shops and convenience stores, cannot sell any type of vape  

• flavours in vapes are restricted to mint, menthol and tobacco  

• there is a ban on the advertising or promotion of vapes. 

What are vapes?

Vapes (also known as ‘e-cigarettes’) are battery operated devices that heat a liquid to produce an aerosol that users inhale. Vapes are designed to deliver nicotine and/or other chemicals directly to the lungs. They do not generally contain tobacco, and products vary widely in their ingredients and design.  

Many vapes look like everyday items (such as pens and USB sticks) and are therefore very easy to conceal.  

You can find general information about vapes (including the risks of vaping) here

More detailed information on the chemicals found in vaping products is available on the Tobacco in Australia: Facts and Issues website

Are vapes legal in Victoria?

Pharmacies are the only place where vapes may be sold in Australia.

It is illegal for any other retailer—including tobacconists, vape shops and convenience stores—to sell any type of vape or vaping product. 

For further information on Australia’s vaping regulations, see Australia’s 2024 vaping regulations: what you need to know 

What is Quit’s policy position on vapes?

The widespread illegal sale of nicotine vaping products across Australia has been incredibly concerning, requiring urgent coordinated action across all levels of government.   

In recent years, there has been an alarming increase in the number of children and young adults using vapes. This increase in vaping is particularly concerning given there is strong evidence that non-smokers who use vapes are three times as likely to go on to smoke tobacco cigarettes.¹  The widespread availability of vape products threatened to undo decades of success in helping Victorians live tobacco-free lives.  

As noted above, the Federal Government has recently introduced changes to the way vapes are regulated in Australia. These changes include banning the importation and sale of all non-therapeutic vapes (regardless of whether they contain nicotine). These new laws will help stop the widespread practice of using so-called ‘non-nicotine’ vaping products as ‘cover’ for illegally selling products containing nicotine.  

Quit commends the Federal Government for its decisive action on this important public health issue. The Government’s world-leading new laws will help protect Australians from the health risks posed by vaping, while preserving access to vaping products under health practitioner supervision.   

Quit calls on all state and territory governments to support the action taken by the Federal Government by helping to ensure the new laws are enforced efficiently and effectively throughout Australia.

1. Banks E, Yazidjoglou A, Brown S, Nguyen M, Martin M, Beckwith K, Daluwatta A, Campbell S, Joshy G. Electronic cigarettes and health outcomes: A systematic review of global evidence. Report for the Australian Department of Health. National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health. Canberra: April 2022. Available from: Download PDF 

Last updated 1 October 2024