From the Nurses Desk

2023 Vaping Reforms

New actions to address the problems of e cigarettes and to help limit young people's access to vapes will be implemented later this year. The vaping reforms will see the importation of nicotine and non-nicotine vaping products banned in Australia. Access will be only through medical review and pharmacies. These actions aim to make it easier for people wanting to quit, to get a prescription and to understand the contents of the vaping products they then buy.

The reforms include:

• Ban on single-use disposable vapes.
• Banning the importation of non-prescription vaping products, including those that DO NOT contain nicotine.
• GPs to provide scripts to patients to obtain vapes, where they need them.
• Vaping products to be only available in pharmacies.
• Pharmaceutical packaging with reduced flavours, colours, and nicotine volumes.
• Investment in education and support programs to encourage people to quit.

Most people who currently vape in Australia are using non-regulated products, which means they have no idea what ingredients are in them, including the level of nicotine. Many of the non-regulated products sold as non-nicotine vapes, do contain nicotine, which means some people who vape, including young people, may be unknowingly consuming nicotine and forming a dependence.

Nicotine is highly addictive and can be difficult to stop using it. Withdrawal can result in irritability, anxiety, cravings, trouble concentrating, sleeping problems, and feeling sad or depressed.

These vaping reforms create an opportunity for parents / carers to bring up the topic with their children. It’s important for young people who vape, to be aware of the upcoming changes, potential signs of withdrawal, and the supports that are available. 

Attached are resources to assist in conversations with young people.

https://adf.org.au/talking-about-drugs/vaping/helping-young-people-quit-vaping/