Australian Senate Moves to Ban Imported Nicotine E-Liquid
Australian Senate Moves to Ban Imported Nicotine E-Liquid: What You Need to Know
In late February, the Australian Senate passed a motion with bipartisan support, advocating for a ban on imported liquid nicotine products, including e-liquids. Although this motion signals growing political interest in stricter regulations, nothing has changed yet regarding Australia’s existing laws for importing nicotine e-liquids. If you currently import your e-liquid with a valid prescription under the Therapeutic Goods Personal Importation Scheme, you can continue as you have been. There is no need to stockpile e-liquids at this time.
What Does the Motion Mean?
It’s important to note that this motion is not a new law. It’s simply an expression of support within the Australian Senate for further regulation on e-liquid imports. The motion highlights widespread governmental backing for future restrictions but does not alter the current legal landscape. If changes do occur, the public will be given adequate notice.
Current Laws for Buying E-Liquid in Australia
At present, Australian law requires a prescription to import nicotine e-liquid legally. However, according to the Sydney Morning Herald, there is widespread non-compliance, with many vapers importing nicotine without a prescription. The Australian government has expressed concerns over this abuse of the Therapeutic Goods Personal Importation Scheme, and this has led to increasing discussions about regulatory enforcement.
Why Is the Australian Government Targeting Vaping?
Despite extensive evidence showing that vaping is significantly less harmful than smoking, Australian political figures—such as federal health minister Greg Hunt—have consistently opposed the liberalisation of vaping laws. In his statements, Hunt has been clear in the government's opposition to vaping and its intention to crack down on unauthorised nicotine imports.
The motion to ban nicotine imports was introduced by Stirling Griff of the Centre Alliance party. Citing concerns stemming from the U.S. vaping lung illness outbreak, Griff argued that vaping products may contain unknown, dangerous ingredients. However, these concerns are largely unfounded, as the U.S. lung illness was linked to illegal THC products containing Vitamin E acetate, not nicotine e-liquids.
Why the Ban is Misguided
The motion's reasoning appears flawed for several reasons:
- The U.S. vaping lung illness was linked to THC products, not nicotine e-liquids.
- Nicotine e-liquids imported to Australia are generally sourced from highly regulated markets, such as the United States, United Kingdom, and New Zealand, where the ingredients are known and transparent.
- A better solution would be to legalise and regulate nicotine e-liquid domestically, eliminating the need for unauthorised imports.
How Can You Help Prevent the Ban on E-Liquid Imports?
If you oppose this ban, it’s crucial to take action. You can write to, call, or meet with your elected representatives to voice your concerns. Here are key points to raise:
- Share your personal story about how vaping has helped you quit smoking.
- Explain that driving Australia’s 300,000 vapers back to smoking could be detrimental to public health.
- Let your representatives know that this is an important issue for you as a voter, and that it could influence how you vote in the future.
You can use the Legalise Vaping Australia platform to automatically send a letter to your MP.
What Should You Do If You Rely on Imported E-Liquid?
If you rely on imported e-liquids, there’s no need to change your routine just yet. As long as you’re following the current law and importing your e-liquid with a valid prescription, you are in compliance. However, be aware that the government may soon begin enforcing these rules more strictly. It’s possible that customs agents or postal inspectors could start requiring proof of prescription when you collect your shipments, so it’s a good idea to ensure you have the necessary documentation.
