13/10/2021
From 1 October 2021 e-cigarettes and e-liquids containing nicotine are a prescription only medicine. This means pharmacists in community pharmacies can supply e-liquids and e-cigarettes (containing nicotine) to their customers (18 years and over) only if they have a valid prescription from a doctor. For retailers other than pharmacies it will continue to be illegal to sell e-liquids and e-cigarettes that contain nicotine. This includes online sales.
NSW Health has seen an increase in the number of e-cigarettes containing nicotine or labelled as containing nicotine, being sold by retailers. This includes disposable devices, with brands such as HQD Cuvies, Stig, Jeemo, Puff Bar, and Myle. Other types of e-cigarettes include pod devices, such as JUUL.
From January 2020 to the end of March 2021, most of the products were found and seized at tobacconists (71%), convenience stores or petrol/service stations (24%), with small amounts of products seized from grocery shops.
The table below shows the quarterly data for seizures of e-cigarette and e-liquid products containing nicotine or labelled as containing nicotine by NSW Health officers.
| QUARTER | NUMBER OF PRODUCTS SEIZED |
| 1 January – 31 March 2021 | 24,067 |
| 1 October – 31 December 2020 | 18,900 |
| 1 July – 30 September 2020 | 6,554 |
| 1 April – 30 June 2020 | 1,801 |
| 1 January – 31 March 2020 | 2,866 |
Read the full story here.
State of New South Wales NSW Ministry of Health. For current information go to www.health.nsw.gov.au