Tasmania is being more draconian than the federal government when it comes to vapes. Photo credit: Mr. Flame, Pexels.
The Tasmanian government plans to override federal laws by enforcing stricter regulations on the sale of nicotine vaping products, allowing only adults with a prescription to purchase them.
Federal rules, which came into effect on July 1, prohibited the sale of vape products outside pharmacies and required a prescription for purchase. However, beginning October 1, these restrictions will be eased to allow adults to buy these products from pharmacies without a prescription, although those under 18 will still need one.
The relaxed restrictions set to take effect in October were the result of a deal between the federal government and the Greens party, made to secure enough support for the legislation to pass.
However, Tasmanian health minister Guy Barnett said the "watered-down" federal laws "do not go far enough to protect our children and young people.” Barnett stated that the state government will soon introduce legislation to limit the sale of vapes in pharmacies to only adults who have a prescription. The sale of vapes to anyone under 18, regardless of whether they have a prescription, will be completely banned.
Tasmania is set to become the first state to challenge the federal changes by proposing an amendment to the state's Public Health Act. According to Barnett, the amendment has been "checked and reviewed" to ensure it can supersede federal laws.
“"We do not agree with the federal government's legislation, and we are taking action to resolve it,” he said.