WHAT IS HAPPENING?

HOW CAN YOU FIGHT BACK?

Details of the Regulatory Change

On Friday 19 June 2020, the Therapeutic Good Administration (TGA) announced a crackdown on the importation of vaping products for personal use. If an individual orders nicotine vape liquid or nicotine-containing e-cigarettes from abroad, they will face fines up to $220, 000 -- regardless of whether they have a valid prescription. From 1 July 2020, the Australian Border Force will be enforcing this new regulation and will seize any nicotine vape liquid they find entering Australia.

If a smoker wishes to vape nicotine for the purpose of quitting smoking, they must first attempt every other method because nicotine vaping is considered an “unapproved method.” They then must receive a prescription from an authorised physician.

For a doctor to prescribe and provide liquid nicotine for nicotine replacement therapy (NRT), they must apply to prescribe through TGA and then apply to import through the Office of Drug Control (ODC). A doctor may apply to prescribe through the Special Access Scheme (SAS), for an individual patient or the Authorised Prescriber Scheme, to offer nicotine to multiple patients. Unlike cannabis, there is not a separate process for nicotine import, so doctors must use the same application used for schedule 8 substances -- such as methamphetamine, cocaine, and codeine. The only other means of legally obtaining nicotine is through a pharmacy with a doctor’s prescription Pharmacies must go through a similar process to import nicotine vape liquid or nicotine-containing e-cigarettes. 

The prohibition of nicotine vape liquids and e-cigarettes will remain in place for 12 months and a final decision will be announced in early 2021. The regulatory change will negatively impact the health of smokers, will waste taxpayers dollars, and has already undermined the democratic institutions in Australia.

FAQs

when does this take effect?

From 1 July 2020, nicotine liquid coming into Australia will be seized by the Australian Border force.

could i face a penalty for importing nicotine?

Yes. According to the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) announcement, importation of nicotine could result in a fine of up to $220,000.

what if i have a prescription?

The TGA’s penalties apply to anyone who is caught trying to import nicotine regardless of whether they have a valid prescription or not.

what if my doctor recommends vaping?

Under the TGA’s new scheme, smokers seeking to quit with vaping must first attempt every other method of quitting. They then must receive a prescription from an authorised physician. This is because vaping is considered an “unapproved method.”

can my usual doctor prescribe vaping?

For a doctor to prescribe and provide liquid nicotine for nicotine replacement therapy (NRT), they must apply to prescribe through the TGA and then apply to import through the Office of Drug Control (ODC). A doctor may apply to prescribe through the Special Access Scheme (SAS), for an individual patient or the Authorised Prescriber Scheme, to offer nicotine to multiple patients.

In short - your usual doctor may be able to prescribe nicotine vaping, but the process will be very long and arduous.

what can i do to help?

Now is the time for action!

The first thing you can do is SIGN OUR PETITION, share the petition online, and get your friends and family to sign too.

You can also TWEET OR EMAIL YOUR MP/SENATOR. Our platform lets you easily find your politicians using your zip code, and contact them in less than 30 seconds.

Last but certainly not least, you can CALL AND EMAIL GREG HUNT’S OFFICE and let him know you won’t stand for this!
Ph: (03) 5977-9082
Email: Greg.Hunt.MP@aph.gov.au