As of October 1, 2021, Australians can only purchase nicotine-containing e-cigarettes if they have a prescription from a licensed health care practitioner.
Ironically, combustible tobacco cigarettes that contain carcinogens and other toxins in addition to nicotine will not require prescriptions.
If nicotine is so dangerous, then perhaps prescriptions should be required for tobacco products, and for tea and coffee, which contain caffeine—a substance very similar to nicotine and, according to some, equally harmful, which is to say not very harmful at all.
But give credit where it is due. By legalising ‘medicinal’ nicotine vaping, at least Australia’s Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) recognises the harm reduction potential of nicotine-containing vaping products. In the United States, the Food &Drug Administration (FDA) appears oblivious to the benefits of e-cigarettes as it heads towards an outright ban.
Nicotine-containing vaping products have a proven record of helping tobacco smokers kick the habit. In the United Kingdom, Public Health England (PHE) tells primary care practitioners to suggest e-cigarettes to their tobacco-smoking patients as a cessation aid.
Dr. Jeffrey A Singer MD – Quadrant – 2021-10-20.
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