Frequently Asked Questions

Vapes and e-cigarettes are similar in that neither uses tobacco to deliver nicotine to the user. The primary difference between vapes and e-cigarettes is the way liquid nicotine is stored.

A vape (or vaporiser) has a tank with a heating element to heat e-liquid (liquid nicotine) to produce a vapor to ingest. For a vape to work, the user must refill the tank as needed.

On the other hand, e-cigarettes use disposable e-liquid containers. These containers are replaced, and the empty ones are disposed of. There is no container to refill in e-cigarettes.

Both vapes and e-cigarettes use an on-board battery which heats the e-liquid, turning it into vapor for inhalation.

Vapes and e-cigarettes can also be filled with liquid that doesn’t contain nicotine.

Smoke-free products is an all-inclusive term for vapes and e-cigarettes. Essentially, all products which allow the user to ingest nicotine without burning tobacco are smoke-free products.

Smoke-free products don’t produce smoke because no combustion or burning occurs. Because there’s no combustion, there’s no smoke; and because there’s no smoke, the same carcinogens that come from smoking cigarettes are not present in e-cigarettes or vapes.

Yes, vaping is legal in Australia.

You can purchase and consume vapes or e-cigarettes in Australia provided they do not contain nicotine. Currently, you can only get nicotine e-liquid if you have a prescription to use it as a nicotine replacement product.

It is illegal to own, buy, or consume e-liquid in Australia without a prescription.

In Western Australia, it is illegal to sell a vape and in some other states, it is illegal to sell vapes or e-cigarettes which resemble actual cigarettes.

Vaping nicotine in Australia carries penalties of up to $45,000 and/or two years in prison.

No (unless you have a prescription). It is illegal to own or use nicotine e-liquid in Australia and illegal to buy e-liquid from Australia. Technically it’s legal to import e-liquid from overseas but it’s illegal to take possession of it. This situation arises is due to differences in customs laws and regulations and health laws and regulations.

The only exception to this is if you have a prescription from a doctor. In which case, you can import up to 3 months’ supply of e-liquid at a time.

Yes. It is legal to vape in New Zealand, Japan, the United States, the United Kingdom, the EU, and Canada, among others.

Australia is quickly becoming an outlier among the developed world. In fact, among the 36 OECD countries, the only ones in which vaping continues to be illegal are Australia, Turkey, and Mexico.

At Legalise Vaping Australia, we believe its time Australia catches up with the rest of the world.

The consumption of any product which contains nicotine is harmful. However, research by Public Health England has found vaping is up to 95 per cent less harmful than smoking cigarettes.

The reality is, people smoke for the nicotine but consume an estimate 7,000 other chemicals – including at least 70 carcinogens – from burning tobacco. On the other hand, vapes give smokers the nicotine and the flavour while exposing them to far fewer chemicals.

Vaping is also effective in reducing the impact of second-hand smoke. With second-hand smoke, bystanders, as well as a smokers’ family and children are exposed to the same chemicals as the smoker. Based on current research there is no health risk to bystanders from the by-products of vaping.

The current ban on vaping while allowing the consumption of cigarettes is akin to banning Diet Coke while allowing people to buy normal Coke or banning sunscreen while allowing sun-tan oil.

The best thing anyone can do for their health is to quit smoking, but vaping is a far less harmful alternative to smoking and is an effective way to help people give up cigarettes.

Yes. There is a rapidly growing body of evidence suggesting vaping is an effective means to give up cigarettes.

A study published earlier this year in the England Journal of Medicine found “e-cigarettes were more effective than nicotine-replacement therapy,” while another study in the Harm Reduction Journal published in 2018 found “vaping is a viable long-term substitute for smoking.”

In fact, a 2018 report by Public Health England found quit smoking success rates in 2017 were at their highest observed level. The evidence suggests that e-cigarettes have contributed to tens of thousands of additional quitters in England.

Another Greek study found the biggest indicator for someone being a former smoker is whether they are a daily user of vapes. A different study again found those who use e-cigarettes every day were more likely to quit smoking (or at least, smoke less) when compared with those who do not vape.

Evidence from New Zealand suggests vaping has helped most users quit smoking altogether. And the more smokers are exposed to vapers, the more likely they are to quit themselves.

As a quit tool, evidence suggests vaping is the most effective. It is absurd to deny smokers access to a far more effective quit tool and less harmful alternative smoking.

No. While there have been some hysterical claims that vaping is a way to hook new smokers or kids on nicotine, the research suggests otherwise.

A study released this year in the journal, Internal and Emergency Medicine, found “e-cigarette use by never smokers is rare and none of them subsequently initiate smoking.”

In reality, the opposite is true. Vaping is a gateway to help current smokers quit nicotine altogether.

There are plenty of ways you can support our campaign; from writing to your local MP, liking our Facebook page, or even making a contribution to help us get the message out.

No. Donations to Legalise Vaping Australia are not tax deductible.