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
Since 1 July 2024, it has been illegal for retailers, such as tobacconists, vape shops and convenience stores, to sell any type of vape or vape product.
Vapes and vape products can only legally be sold in pharmacies.
From 1 October 2024, people 18 years and older can buy vapes from participating pharmacies with a nicotine concentration of 20 mg/mL or less without a prescription, where state and territory laws allow.
They must talk with the pharmacist before purchasing. This includes:
- discussing the product and dosage
- discussing other options to quit smoking and/or manage nicotine dependence
- providing identification (for proof of age purposes only).
Only one month’s supply can be purchased over the course of one month.
People under 18 years need a prescription to access vapes, where state and territory laws allow, to ensure they get appropriate medical advice and supervision.
People who need vapes with a higher concentration of nicotine than 20 mg/mL also need a prescription, regardless of their age.
Flavours are restricted to mint, menthol and tobacco, and vapes must adhere to plain pharmaceutical packaging standards.
The Therapeutic Goods Administration is implementing most of these changes. For more information, see the Vaping Hub.