Smoking reforms
On 1 April 2024, some of the laws around tobacco changed. These laws introduced new tobacco control measures to reduce the appeal, palatability and attractiveness of tobacco products. They will also limit the ability of the tobacco industry to target their advertising to vulnerable Australians.
As a result:
- Products will taste different – there will be no special additives to make them more appealing.
- The size of tobacco packs, pouches and cigarette sticks will be standardised.
- Some product names will also change – there will be no attractive brand names that falsely imply less harm.
- Products will also look different – new health warnings will be placed on packaging to show how smoking causes a range of diseases and can lead to an early death.
New health promotion inserts will also be provided in packaging to encourage and empower people to quit.
All tobacco products sold in Australia must comply with the new control measures by 1 July 2025.
The new Public Health (Tobacco and Other Products) Act 2023 started from 1 April 2024. The same bans that apply to tobacco advertising and sponsorship will apply to vapes.
Find more information on the new legislation for tobacco control and on tobacco advertising bans.
Learn more about tobacco control measures.
Vaping reforms
From 1 July 2024, all nicotine vapes in Australia are regulated as therapeutic goods. This means they can only be purchased at pharmacies to help people quit smoking or manage nicotine dependence. It is illegal for retailers, such as tobacconists, vape shops and convenience stores, to sell any type of vape.
Until 30 September 2024, everyone needs a prescription from a doctor or nurse practitioner to buy nicotine vapes from a pharmacy.
From 1 October 2024, people 18 years or over can purchase nicotine vapes directly from a pharmacy without a prescription. People under 18 will still need a prescription to access vapes, where state and territory laws allow it. This is to ensure they get appropriate medical advice and supervision.
The concentration of nicotine in vapes sold in pharmacies without a prescription will be limited to 20 mg/mL; people who need vapes with a higher concentration of nicotine will still require a prescription.
Additional changes will apply to limit the flavours available to mint, menthol and tobacco, and require plain pharmaceutical packaging for all vape products.
The Therapeutic Goods Administration is implementing most of these changes. For more information, see the Vaping Hub.