The Australian government’s medical, prescription-only model for nicotine vaping was introduced on October 1, 2021, and has been a resounding policy failure.
Like most prohibitionist policies, it has created a thriving illicit market and detrimental public health outcomes.
To legally possess nicotine e-liquid to quit smoking, vapers must get a doctor’s prescription and purchase supplies from pharmacies or international online vendors. The sale of nicotine from vape shops and other retail outlets is banned.
Predictably, this prohibitionist model has created a thriving illicit market.
The regulations were intended to prevent youth vaping and to allow access for adults as a smoking cessation aid. After 12 months, it is clear that they have achieved neither of those goals. In fact, they have had the opposite effect, as my new report indicates.
Illicit Market, Raids and Increased Youth Vaping
Predictably, this prohibitionist model has created a thriving illicit market for unregulated vaping products that do not comply with Australian standards.
Colin Mendelsohn – Filter – 2022-09-30.
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