Vapes
About vapes
Vapes are also known as e-cigarettes, e-cigars, vape pens or personal vapourisers. They heat liquid, which usually contains nicotine, into a fine vapour for inhalation into the lungs.
Products vary widely in design and operation, but typically consist of a battery, heating element, and a cartridge or refillable tank containing substances such as propylene glycol, vegetable glycerine, nicotine and flavourings.
Read the safety concerns about vapes.
Vaping goods
Vaping goods are an illicit nicotine product.
Under the Tobacco and Other Smoking Products Act 1998 (the Act), vapes (regardless of whether they contain nicotine or not) and related vaping goods are subject to Queensland's smoking laws.
This means vapes cannot be:
- used in no-smoking indoor and outdoor places
- sold to children under 18 years of age
- advertised, promoted or displayed at retail outlets
- provided for sale in a vending machine
- sold by a pharmacy without prescription unless a treatment plan consultation is conducted by a pharmacist
- dispensed as a therapeutic vape without prescription (not limited to instances where patient is under 18 years of age or when a higher nicotine concentration is prescribed).
More information about smoking product retailing
More information about the restrictions and penalties for use
Vapes and vaping goods containing nicotine
In Queensland, vapes and vaping goods are illicit products unless on prescription and supplied from a pharmacist or through Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) processes.
Please note that currently no electronic cigarette products containing nicotine have been approved as a therapeutic good by the TGA for sale in Australia. These products are considered ‘unapproved medicines’ and have not been assessed by the TGA for safety, quality and efficacy.
In Queensland, nicotine is regulated by the Medicines and Poisons Act 2019 and supporting regulations (Medicines and Poisons (Medicines) Regulation 2021 and Medicines and Poisons (Poisons and Prohibited Substances Regulation 2021). Nicotine is regulated on the basis that it is classified as a 'Dangerous Poison' under Schedule 7 of the federal ‘Poisons Standard’, except when included in Schedule 4 for human use.
The TGA website provides more information for:
To report illegal sale or possession of electronic cigarettes or electronic cigarette products containing nicotine, call 13 QGOV (13 74 68).