An individual in Western Australia has been fined A$2,664 by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) for allegedly importing nicotine vaping products into the country without the necessary approval or exemption. The TGA’s infringement notice issued to the individual also claims that the individual attempted to hide the nature of the shipment by falsely declaring its contents and that the shipment’s contents exceeded the amount of nicotine vaping products that is allowed under the Personal Importation Scheme.
Australia currently requires vapers to maintain a valid prescription from a licensed Australian doctor to purchase nicotine vaping products and allows for such products to be purchased with a prescription from overseas vape suppliers and licensed pharmacies. The Personal Importation Scheme makes clear that a three-month supply of nicotine e-juice can be imported at one time. All nicotine vaping products imported into the country must be for personal use only.
Information on how Australian consumers can access nicotine vaping products for the purpose of quitting smoking can be found on the TGA website.
News reports have highlighted a thriving black market for nicotine vaping products in Australia that some believe to be a result of the prescription model. As a result of the prescription requirement, consumers in the country must have a nicotine prescription in order to purchase nicotine vaping products, which include nicotine e-cigarettes and nicotine e-juice. This has led some consumers to purchase such products from the unregulated black market.
Nicotine vaping products that are purchased on the black market have the potential to contain hazardous ingredients, according to the TGA. There is also the possibility that nicotine vapes purchased unlawfully might be counterfeit products.
What do you think, has Australia’s prescription model for nicotine vaping products a benefit or danger to Australians?