About vaping and e-cigarettes

What are e-cigarettes?

E-cigarettes, also known as vapes, are battery-operated devices that deliver an aerosol by heating a liquid that users breathe in. People commonly refer to this aerosol as ‘vapour’, and to using an e-cigarette as ‘vaping’.

Illegal e-cigarettes: 

• may not always list the ingredients of the liquids
• contain a range of chemicals that have not been tested for safety, including those that add flavour
• may contain nicotine even if labelled as ‘nicotine free’
• may look like cigarettes, cigars, pipes, pens or memory sticks.

Vaping and young people

The use of vapes has increased rapidly in recent years, particularly among young people. This is concerning as vaping is contributing to a range of health harms.

Learn more about young people and vaping.

Public health risks of vaping and e-cigarettes

Even though scientists and public health experts are still learning about e-cigarettes, they do not consider them safe.

Health impacts of vaping devices and liquids

Most e-cigarettes in Australia contain nicotine – even when the packaging says it doesn’t. Nicotine is a highly addictive and toxic drug that can harm brain development in young people and impact attention, learning, memory and changes in mood.  

All e-cigarettes, even those that don’t contain nicotine, can contain dangerous substances in the liquids and the aerosol. These can include a number of known cancer-causing agents, such as:

• formaldehyde (used in industrial glues and for preserving corpses in hospitals and funeral homes)
• acetone (generally found in nail polish remover)
• acetaldehyde (used in chemicals, perfumes, and plastics)
• acrolein (commonly found in weedkiller)
• heavy metals like nickel, tin, and lead.

They can also contain:

• propylene glycol – a solvent used in fog/smoke machines
• polyester compounds
• anti-freeze – used in the coolant of a car
• vegetable glycerin – a liquid from vegetable fat.

Direct health risks of vaping

Known health risks associated with vaping include:

• irritation of the mouth and airways
• persistent coughing
• nausea and vomiting
• poisoning and seizures from inhaling too much nicotine or ingestion of e-liquid
• burns or injury caused by an e-cigarette overheating or exploding
• nicotine dependence
• respiratory problems and permanent lung damage
• harm to the developing adolescent brain.

The nicotine in vapes is highly addictive and may also affect your mental health.

You may experience nicotine withdrawal symptoms that include:

• mood changes
• difficulty concentrating
• feeling nervous, restless, irritable and/or
• anxiety.

Some chemicals in e-cigarette aerosols can also cause DNA damage.

E-cigarettes do not produce the tar found in conventional cigarettes which is the main cause of lung cancer. However, many scientists are concerned that vaping could increase risk of lung disease, heart disease and cancer.

Additional risks of e-cigarettes

Evidence shows a strong association between vaping and future smoking behaviours. Research indicates that young people who vape, but have never smoked, are more likely to take up tobacco smoking compared to young people who have never vaped. As with smoking, being around people who vape means you can also breathe in second-hand aerosols from vapes.

Research also shows that many e-cigarette users appear to be continuing to use conventional tobacco products at the same time (dual users). Dual users may be exposing themselves to even higher levels of toxic chemicals compared to people who solely use conventional tobacco products.

Using e-cigarettes to quit smoking

If you are wondering whether e-cigarettes can help you quit smoking, your first step is to speak with your doctor – they can provide advice about suitable options to help you quit smoking.

While some people may have successfully quit smoking using an e-cigarette, the overall evidence of the effectiveness of these products as a smoking cessation aid remains limited. E-cigarette products are not ‘first line’ treatments for smoking cessation, and there are many other products available to quit smoking that are known to be safe and effective.

Learn how to quit smoking and vaping.

Vaping and e-cigarette laws and reforms

On 1 July 2024, the law changed so that all vapes and vaping products, regardless of whether they contain nicotine or not, can only be sold in a pharmacy for the purpose of helping people quit smoking or manage nicotine dependence. 

You cannot purchase single use disposable vapes in a pharmacy.

It is illegal for any other business, such as tobacconists, vape shops and convenience stores, to sell any type of vape or vaping product.  

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. 

Pharmacists are under no obligation to dispense therapeutic vapes.

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. 

Penalties under the legislation

Changes to the vaping laws in Australia are focused on protecting people from the harms of vaping and nicotine dependence.

The law targets commercial and criminal supply of vapes. Individuals, including people under 18 years, who have a small amount of vapes/vaping products for personal use will not be targeted under the law. 

Concerns regarding the illegal supply of vapes can be reported via the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) website.

More information about measures in place to address illicit tobacco, including guidance on how to report the sale of illicit tobacco in the community, is available on the Australian Taxation Office website by searching ‘illicit tobacco’.

More information on vaping laws

The Therapeutic Goods Administration is implementing most of these changes. 

Read more about the new regulations and nicotine vaping products.

Download an information sheet on the the regulations around vaping in Australia.

The Public Health (Tobacco and Other Products) Act 2023 commenced from 1 April 2024. The same bans that apply to tobacco advertising and sponsorship will apply to vapes.

Cannabis vapes

Cannabis vapes are subject to separate strict regulations.

See the Therapeutic Goods Administration Medicinal cannabis hub for more information.

Indoor and outdoor settings that prohibit vaping

It is generally illegal to vape in places where tobacco smoking is banned. Smoke-free laws apply to everyone, including young people, but can differ by state or territory.

Check our smoke-free laws for more information.

What the Government is doing

Protecting young people is the primary focus of the Government’s reforms to e-cigarette regulation. 

The National Tobacco Strategy 2023–2030 has been developed with input from stakeholders, experts, non-government organisations and the public, and is endorsed by all Australian governments. The strategy includes priorities for e-cigarette control in Australia.  

The Government is developing a range of regulatory and non-regulatory measures to support these reforms. These include updating existing regulations related to vaping and delivering a public health information campaign with the aim to:

• prevent and reduce nicotine addiction
• de-normalise vaping
• drive and support e-cigarette quit attempts
• increase support in the community for quitting
• reduce the likelihood of people substituting smoking for vaping (and vice versa) instead of quitting.

Read more in our Budget paper, Tackling smoking and vaping, and improving cancer outcomes.

Advice is in line with the guiding principles for e-cigarettes. All Australian governments have agreed to these principles.

Research and studies

• Australian National University’s Electronic cigarettes and health outcomes: systematic review of global evidence (2022).
• Australia National University Electronic cigarettes and health outcomes: umbrella and systematic review of the global evidence (2023).
• National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) statement on e-cigarettes.
• Cancer Council NSW Generation vape research project.
• CSIRO literature review into e-cigarettes, smoking and health.

Information and support

For parents, carers and schools

Find information for parents and carers on how to provide support for a person who wants to quit.

Download an information sheet for parents, carers and teachers on the changes to vaping in Australia.

For health professionals

• Royal Australian College of General Practitioners' Supporting smoking cessation: A guide for health professionals. 
• Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) Professional practice guidelines for pharmacists: nicotine dependence support.
• Quit Centre provides education, training and resources for health professionals on smoking and vaping and how to support their patients.
• The TGA’s Vaping hub.
• NSW Ministry of Health Guide to support young people to quit e-cigarettes.

Download an information sheet for medical and nurse practitioners on the changes to vaping in Australia from 1 July 2024.

First Nations resources

See our collection of First Nations resources on the changes to vaping in Australia.