ALL YOU NEED IS A PRESCRIPTION
ALL YOU NEED IS A PRESCRIPTION
What to know about the new law change
Do I need a prescription?
If you currently use and import vaping products containing nicotine into Australia, then yes you will need a valid nicotine prescription. If you do not currently have a valid nicotine prescription then please read through the section below on ‘How do I get a prescription for nicotine’
You will still be able to buy vaping products from VAPO Australia with a valid prescription!
Why do I need a prescription
From October 1, 2021, the new vaping laws implemented by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) require consumers who are importing any nicotine e-liquid and/or nicotine pods into Australia to obtain a prescription from an Australian-registered GP or specialist doctor..
How do I get a prescription for Nicotine?
1. Contact your doctor and ask them for a prescription for vaping nicotine e-liquid/pods. Your doctor will want to make sure you have tried other forms of quitting such as patches and gum first. You may encounter some barriers to obtaining your prescription, these will likely be the most common: Knowledge: Many doctors may not be informed about vaping and may refuse to write you a prescription. There is a great doctor-lead resource from ATHRA that you can point your GP to for information about nicotine vaping - https://www.athra.org.au/vaping/ Quality of Product: Your doctor will want to ensure that the products you are using are of the very best quality. VAPO is one of the few companies in Australasia that rigorously test our VAPO branded e-liquid, pods and alt. branded pods. We have safety data, emissions results and information on our ingredients available right here. We also provide open access to our Chief Scientist for any specific enquiries. 2. QuitClincs offers a quick and easy service for Australian's that rely on nicotine vaping products for smoking cessation to obtain a prescription. Head to their website quitclincs.com. An Australian doctor will review your forms and get in touch with you within one business day. All of QuitClinics doctors are passionate about helping smokers quit and are TGA Authorised Prescribers of nicotine/vaping products. You'll receive an electronic prescription within 24 hours. A copy of this prescription can be sent to us so you can continue to purchase the products you rely on for smoking cessation.
Batteries
Always remove batteries from your device if it is possible to do so. Always store batteries securely in a good quality insulating battery case. Always store batteries on carry-on luggage.
I've got my prescription, how do I use it?
Login and go to your account. Find 'My Prescriptions' and click on the UPLOAD button - highlighted in black. Then follow the steps to upload. Your upload can be in PDF, JPEG or PNG format. Once you have uploaded your prescription, our NZ based Customer Service team will approve it for you. Please note: Our teams work NZ hours from Monday - Friday 9am -5pm and are unavailable for approvals outside of these times. Prescriptions are typically valid from 3 - 12 months and you will only need to upload your prescription ONCE during this timeframe.
What happens if I dont have a prescription?
The Australian Border Force is tasked with enforcing the prescription requirements and may seize and non compliant nicotine or e-cigarette shipments that do not include a valid prescription. From 1 October 2021, the penalty for importing nicotine e-liquid/pods without a prescription could incur a fine of up to $222,000 under the Customs Act 1901. The offence carries 1,000 penalty points at $222 each.
Can I buy VAPO products domestically?
This recent legislative change has opened a potentially streamlined path to accessing vaping products domestically in Australia. After October 1st 2021, Australian consumers with a valid nicotine prescription will be able to obtain nicotine products from local Australian pharmacies and Australian-based online pharmacies that choose to stock and sell nicotine vaping products. We are in the process of getting more information on how these channels will work and will provide details on how feasible this will be to obtain VAPO products from Australian pharmacies in future!
Where can I find more info on the new law?
Please check out the the TGA’s FAQ page here (https://www.tga.gov.au/nicotine-vaping-products-and-vaping-devices-frequently-asked-questions) and do also read through the ATHRA website - linked here (https://www.athra.org.au/). Follow the links below to find specific queries. https://www.tga.gov.au/nicotine-vaping-products https://www.tga.gov.au/nicotine-vaping-products-information-consumers https://www.tga.gov.au/sites/default/files/nicotine-vaping-products-and-vaping-devices_0.pdf
