The Journey After October 1

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https://www.athra.org.au/blog/2021/05/28/the-journey-after-october-1/

The Journey After October 1


Posted on May 28, 2021

From October 1, 2021, nicotine liquid for vaping will be officially ‘schedule 4 prescription only medicine’. How does that affect you if you are vaper in Australia? Well, in short, you are likely to l face more paperwork, confused doctors, and longer wait times at your GP.

Sadly, smokers in Australia are used to facing labyrinths on their way to quitting, but proposed TGA regulations are set to make this even more arduous. So, here’s a snapshot of what vapers can expect and why this prescription model won’t work.

Get ready to wait and waste time and money

An increasing number of Australian smokers are seeing their friends and family successfully quit smoking using vaping. Naturally, more and more want to do the same, improving their wellbeing and saving a lot of money. But unlike in most western democracies, the Australian wannabe-vaper must first jump through several hoops.

From 1 October, they will need to find a doctor that can prescribe vaping (there are very few), have a consultation (at a cost and potentially a wait period to get in), secure a prescription for nicotine (which the doctor is not allowed to legally specify), find a pharmacist (who will hopefully be able to import and supply it), and finally (after 1-2 weeks) the quitting smoker can vape once their prescription is finally filled.

But the journey doesn’t end there. Vapers will have to go to for more follow-up appointments with their GP to renew their right to stop smoking every six-months.

Quite the contradiction

Doctors don’t have it easier under the incoming regime. State and territory tobacco advertising restrictions apply to novel nicotine products, which means those companies that produce nicotine cannot legally communicate with doctors. Because of this it’s fair to say the doctor may not be making an informed decision about these products and is essentially writing a blank cheque for nicotine when they prescribe vaping.

What other ‘medicine’ can be prescribed this way? Would a patient ever get a prescription that reads ‘antibiotics – whichever you like/know about/can get’? No. But when it comes to vaping that is what doctors will be forced to do.

Missing the point

Vaping sticks out like a sore thumb within the medical prescription model for one obvious reason – it’s not a medicine that should equire exact prescription, dosage, and titration. As in the UK, new Zealand and other country’s vaping should be a consumer product because it is the most effective quit smoking aid.

It could be a rough ride.

 

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https://www.tga.gov.au/blogs/tga-topics/nicotine-e-cigarettes-laws-are-changing

Nicotine e-cigarettes laws are changing
5 May 2021
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If you currently use nicotine e-cigarettes, you need to be aware that from 1 October 2021 you will no longer be able to legally buy these products from overseas websites without first talking with a GP and getting a prescription. The main reason a GP may provide a prescription is for the purposes of smoking cessation.

Learn more about the changes and what you'll need to do.

So, what products are we talking about?
Electronic cigarettes, also known as e-cigarettes, electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) or e-cigs, are products that heat a liquid ('juice') to make vapour for inhalation ('vaping').

The products captured by the changes include:

• nicotine e-cigarettes
• nicotine vaping products (also known as eJuice, vape juice, eLiquid)
• novel nicotine delivery systems, such as heat-not-burn tobacco products.

Products not captured by the changes include:

• nicotine replacement therapies, such as sprays, patches, lozenges, chews and gums
• e-cigarette products that do not contain vaporiser nicotine.

What laws are changing?
From 1 October 2021 you will no longer be able to buy or import nicotine e-cigarettes or nicotine vaping products from overseas websites without a valid doctor's prescription. These changes reinforce the need to have a doctor's prescription before purchasing nicotine e-cigarettes from any source.

From 1 October 2021, child resistant closures for nicotine vaping products will also become mandatory to reduce the risk to children of accidental ingestion.

This will make the law applying to importation of nicotine e-cigarettes and nicotine vaping products consistent with existing state and territory laws regarding their sale - specifically that these products cannot be sold anywhere in Australia without a doctor's prescription.

Why are these changes being made?
There has been a significant increase in the use of nicotine e-cigarettes by young people in Australia and in many other countries. Between 2015 and 2019, e-cigarette use by young people increased by 96 per cent in Australia. There is evidence that nicotine e-cigarettes act as a 'gateway' to smoking in youth and exposure to nicotine in adolescents may have long-term consequences for brain development.

The changes strike a balance between the need to prevent young people from taking up nicotine e-cigarettes while allowing current smokers to access these products for smoking cessation on their doctor's advice.

Read more about why the decision was made.

What will I need to do differently?
From 1 October 2021, it will be illegal to buy nicotine e-cigarettes or nicotine vaping products from overseas websites (as well as locally) without a doctor's prescription.

Your first step will be to book an appointment with a doctor to discuss your individual circumstances. A doctor can provide advice about suitable options, which may include nicotine e-cigarettes or other over-the-counter, prescription, or non-medicine options.

What will my doctor need to do?
There are currently no approved nicotine e-cigarettes on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG). This means your doctor will either need to:

• apply to the TGA for access to the unapproved product before they give you a prescription. We have a developed a simple application form for doctors to streamline this process; or
• provide you with a script for a 3 month (or less) supply of nicotine e-cigarettes if you intend to use the Personal Importation Scheme to buy the products from an overseas website.

What if my doctor won't prescribe nicotine e-cigarettes?
We are working closely to ensure that doctors are aware of the changes and have the relevant information and tools to support you.

It is possible that your usual doctor may not be willing to prescribe nicotine e-cigarettes, however, they may be able to provide you with a local referral.

Where will I be able to buy nicotine e-cigarettes?
There will be two main ways to obtain nicotine e-cigarettes if your doctor gives you a prescription:

• filling your prescription at a pharmacy (either a physical community pharmacy or an Australian online pharmacy)
• importing from overseas websites using the Personal Importation Scheme.

Be aware that apart from pharmacies dispensing nicotine e-cigarettes to patients with a prescription, it is illegal for any other Australian retailers, including vape stores, to sell nicotine e-cigarettes or nicotine vaping products. Vape stores will still be able to sell flavours and non-nicotine e-cigarettes, or, separately, devices.

If you are using the Personal Importation Scheme, you can order a maximum of 3 months' supply at one time and a maximum of 15 months' supply in a 12 month period. You should arrange for a copy of your prescription to be enclosed with the package the product is sent in. Australian Border Force (ABF) officials can stop your import at the Australian border.

If you are travelling into Australia from overseas, you may bring nicotine e-cigarettes for personal use if you have a prescription and meet the other requirements for the traveller's exemption.

How do I know what I'm buying?
New regulations will set out rules for nicotine vaping products, such as e-liquids. These regulations will include rules about what information is needed on the product's label, child resistant packaging and any ingredients that are not allowed.

Because there are no TGA-approved nicotine vaping products, the proposed rules would allow most nicotine vaping products that have been approved in the United Kingdom, United States and Canada to be prescribed.

Further information

• Nicotine e-cigarettes hub
• Nicotine e-cigarettes: Information for consumers
• Nicotine e-cigarettes: Questions and answers
• How to quit smoking(link is external), or call the Quitline on 13 7848