Western Australia enforces new rule requiring doctor’s prescription for e-cigarette purchases

Oct.31.2024
Western Australia enforces new rule requiring doctor’s prescription for e-cigarette purchases
Western Australia enacts new rule requiring doctor’s prescription for e-cigarettes to limit youth access.

Western Australia has enacted new e-cigarette regulations that will require anyone wishing to purchase e-cigarettes to obtain a doctor's prescription, according to an October 31 report by Mirage News.

 

Earlier this year, the Australian federal government announced that e-cigarettes would be available over the counter at pharmacies without a prescription from October 1, 2024. However, due to concerns about youth access to e-cigarettes, the Western Australian government implemented new regulations effective today that require purchasers to obtain a doctor's prescription, with e-cigarettes dispensed by a pharmacist.

 

Health professionals and pharmacists in Western Australia support this approach. Health Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson said: "We've heard from the community and pharmacists who don't want young people to have such easy access to e-cigarettes. We share these concerns, which is why we've introduced regulations to maintain our strong safeguards."  

 

"E-cigarettes often contain nicotine and dangerous chemicals, and we will do everything we can to keep these harmful products away from kids."

 

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