Navigating Vaping Reforms

The Therapeutic Goods and Other Legislation Amendment (Vaping Reforms) Act 2024, introduces significant changes to vaping regulations. 

Vapes containing nicotine or zero-nicotine substances will require a prescription until 30 September 2024, with supply restricted to pharmacies. From 1 October 2024, vaping products with nicotine concentrations of 20 mg/mL or less can be supplied without a prescription, subject to pharmacist assessment and guidance. From 1 October 2024, a prescription will still be required for patients wishing to access a vape greater than 20mg/mL or for a patient aged under 18 years. 

Pharmacists will play a pivotal role in supplying therapeutic vapes and offering guidance on managing nicotine dependence and harm reduction strategies. It is anticipated that pharmacists may face increased demand for managing nicotine dependence and from consumers who use vapes recreationally.

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia is facilitating a series of webinars and interactive workshops to help pharmacists to understand their obligations and support pharmacists to deliver treatment of nicotine dependence in this new model of care. 

Navigating Vaping Reforms – Webinars

This series of three expert-led webinars will empower pharmacists with comprehensive knowledge and practical guidance on navigating legislative changes, including their evolving role in providing nicotine cessation therapy and vaping cessation guidance.

This series aims to equip pharmacists with insights into the public health impacts of the reforms, clarify ethical and liability considerations in prescribing and dispensing vapes, and outline PSA’s strategic plan for supporting pharmacists adapt to this new model of care over the next 12 months. 

Navigating Vaping Reforms – Interactive Workshops 

From 1 October 2024, therapeutic vapes with a nicotine concentration of 20mg/mL or less will be available in pharmacies to patients 18 years or over without a prescription. Pharmacists will need to be satisfied if it is clinically appropriate, and meet several other conditions, to supply a vape to a patient without a prescription. These changes will help facilitate patient access while maintaining appropriate controls and protections.

There’s currently no therapeutic vapes approved by TGA and included on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG).  Unapproved vapes still have unclear safety and efficacy profiles. As medicines experts, pharmacists are well-positioned to educate the community around evidence-based approaches for smoking cessation and managing nicotine dependence. It’s also essential pharmacists are across these regulatory changes relating to supplying therapeutic vapes, where legitimate patient access to therapeutic vapes are required. 

The learning objectives for this workshop are:  

1. Demonstrate effective communication with the patient, prescriber and any others involved in the management of the patient.   
2. Discuss ethical and professional responsibilities, particularly considering the current lack of evidence supporting the therapeutic benefits of nicotine vaping products.   
3. Apply knowledge of legislation and risk assessment, management and mitigation process requirements regarding the nicotine vaping reforms. 

Registration is free but spaces are limited.