Nation-leading vaping legislation tabled in Parliament

The Tasmanian Liberal Government has tabled the Public Health Amendment (Vaping) Bill 2024, taking strong action to stamp out vaping in our community.

This Legislation will:

1. ban the sale of vape products for children and young people under 18 years, with or without a prescription; and
2. ensure e-cigarettes can only be supplied by pharmacies to people 18 years or over with a prescription.

Minister for Health, Mental Health and Wellbeing, Guy Barnett, said the Government’s nation-leading approach would protect our community from the harms of vaping.

“Under our 2030 Strong Plan for Tasmania’s Future we want Tasmania to be the healthiest and happiest place it can possibly be, and these strong reforms to stamp out vaping are another important step to achieving this,” Minister Barnett said.

“It is clear the Federal Government has not gone far enough – they are failing our children and young people, and effectively turning pharmacies into vape shops, with limited clinical oversight.

“We do not agree with the Federal Government’s legislation, and our legislation will take strong action to resolve it.

“We have worked closely with relevant stakeholders who are seeing the impacts of vaping on our community, and I thank them for their input into these strong preventative health measures.

“I now look forward to the Bill’s passage through Parliament.

“Given the Parliamentary sitting schedule, the Director of Public Health will be issuing a temporary Direction to ensure these changes can take effect from October 1, which will give Parliament the necessary time to debate these changes.”