Understanding the new vaping laws and how it will protect young people

In June, Cancer Council proudly welcomed new legislation to end the sale of vapes in retail stores.

The changes are a testament to the efforts of Cancer Council Victoria and Quit and many public health sector partners. They aim to return vapes to their intended purpose as a potential smoking cessation tool, and to protect Australians, particularly our young people, from the harms of nicotine addiction.

In the last four years, national vaping rates have almost tripled. Young people aged 18 to 24 are vaping at alarming rates, with almost one in two reporting having used them at least once in their lifetime, and more than one in five currently vaping [1]. Evidence shows people who vape are three times as likely to take up smoking as those who have never vaped, providing another pathway to harmful nicotine addiction.

Under the new vaping legislation introduced on 1 July 2024, all vapes, whether they contain nicotine or not, can only be sold in a pharmacy for the purpose of helping people to quit smoking or manage nicotine dependence. 

So it is illegal for any other retailer—including tobacconists, vape shops and convenience stores—to sell any type of vape or vaping product. This also means people won’t be able to order vapes directly from overseas.

Flavours will now be limited to mint, menthol or tobacco in an effort to reduce their appeal, especially to young people. In addition, vapes cannot be advertised in Australia - including in print, online, or on social media platforms. This aims to prevent young people from being targeted by the vaping industry.

This is a critical step in protecting young people from an industry intent on manipulating a new generation into becoming addicted to nicotine.

“By restricting the sale of vaping products – regardless of nicotine content – to pharmacies only, we are closing a significant loophole that has allowed supply of these products, particularly to young Australians,” said Quit Director, Rachael Andersen.

“For 40 years, Quit has helped people stop smoking, and more recently, stop vaping, evolving its services as Big Tobacco finds new ways to hook increasingly younger customers on nicotine.

“When we have calls from Australians as young as 12 wanting our support to quit vaping, we know there is more to be done to protect this generation – and future generations- from the tobacco industry and from the harms of nicotine addiction. These new vaping laws give us hope,” said Todd Harper AM, Cancer Council Victoria CEO.

For many young people like Lily, a social habit quickly became a dependency. But by quitting vaping she has experienced a newfound sense of mental and physical freedom, empowering her to achieve her goals and embrace a healthier, happier life.

This world-leading legislation is the result of years of research and advocacy made possible by your generosity. Together, we stand ready to support all Australians who smoke or vape to quit.

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