Access to nicotine products

From 1 October 2021 changes to the national classification of nicotine in the Poisons Standard clarify the regulation of nicotine as a Schedule 4 Prescription Only Medicine. This means that that consumers will require a prescription to legally access nicotine-containing e-cigarettes and nicotine vaping products for any purpose.

The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) made the decision to amend the Scheduling of nicotine in the interests of public health. There has been a significant increase in the use of nicotine e-cigarettes and other nicotine vaping products by young people in Australia and in many other countries. The TGA decision balances the need to prevent adolescents and young adults from taking-up nicotine vaping products while allowing current smokers to access these products for smoking cessation with appropriate medical advice.

See the Access to nicotine products fact sheet (PDF 236KB).