Australia has been the center of the attention of the vaping world by announcing a sudden plan to enforce strictly the ban on the importation of nicotine.
Prior to the ban that was proposed, Australian vapers were allowed to purchase nicotine-rich juices at Australian Vape stores. While the shops were not permitted to sell or transport nicotine-rich vape liquids, many vapers were able to purchase nicotine vape juice via online sales because of the lack of enforcement regarding nicotine imports.
The ban suggested in the name of Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt would prevent all vapers from purchasing e-juices, either nicotine-free or not, or liquid nicotine, for a whole year. To buy e-liquid, users must visit their physician. The doctor will then need to recommend vapes if they believe vaping can help their patients stop smoking, or if other forms of quitting smoking have failed.
Smokers will not be able to purchase liquid nicotine for the devices they use without a prescription from a doctor in the event that a plan proposed by federal health minister Greg Hunt is successful. The ban will stop any vapers from purchasing juice that contains nicotine or liquid nicotine for one year. Anyone who is caught importing nicotine that is in breach of this ban can face fines of up to $220,000.
The main reason for this restriction is that nicotine vaping is still relatively new and may be a potential source of addiction for young people who otherwise would not smoke. In the next twelve months, the Therapeutic Goods Administration will hold a public discussion regarding the regulation of nicotine-based products.
This is not the only thing that adds several steps and a long wait when purchasing a vape. There’s also the problem of finding a physician who is well-informed and willing to endorse vaping. If a vaper misplaces their vape and spills it there, then it’s an extended wait until a replacement is available. Also, figuring out the strength of a vape and when a prescription for vape needs to be renewed can be a difficult task. There isn’t a set rule regarding the amount of people who can vape. Not only will it depend on the previous smoking habits, but it also depends on the setting and the way they use it.
Two Australian Senators from Australia, Matthew Canavan and George Christensen, both have come out in opposition to the ban. Christensen claimed that the decision was “done without consultation with the public or a lot of lawmakers from the government, including me. ” The reason he voted against the ban is based on the possibility of bringing people back to smoking cigarettes, the potential increase in black market products, and the fact that vaping may “play an important part in shifting people away from tobacco to a more secure product.”
Australians were astonished by the idea of a ban on vapes and began to stockpile vapes in the same way that people typically do in the event of a ban. The government has announced that it will take any vape product that is not removed from the market following the nicotine bans have been lifted – including packages that were ordered prior to when the ban was declared.
With the many delays to shipping across the globe due to COVID-19 and the extreme severity that the prohibition was imposed, a lot of Australian users will likely find themselves low on nicotine in the coming weeks. In the worst-case scenario, they’ll return to smoking.
