Senate debates

Tuesday, 19 October 2021

Questions without Notice

E-Cigarettes

2:27 pm

Photo of Richard ColbeckRichard Colbeck (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Minister for Senior Australians and Aged Care Services) Share this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Griff for the question. The government remains vigilant to the development of and the emerging non-tobacco devices that have the potential to normalise smoking behaviours amongst children and young adults, where the risk of harm of such products is not yet fully understood or known. These non-nicotine products, as you have indicated, are not regulated through the health system but regulated by the Australian Industrial Chemicals Introduction Scheme, AICIS, or what used to be known as NICNAS. It categorises their introduction into one of five categories, and I can refer you to the AICIS website for the information on non-nicotine liquids for vaping devices.

The regulation of the domestic sale and supply of non-nicotine vaping products and devices is in fact done by states and territories under their respective tobacco laws and regulations. In Western Australia, for example, products that resemble tobacco products, including e-cigarette devices, whether or not they contain nicotine, cannot be sold by tobacco or general retailers.

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