Update on nicotine scheduling and proposed restriction on importation of nicotine for use in e-cigarettes

From 1 October 2021, nicotine e-cigarette access by import is made the same as access domestically. Find out more.

The Delegate's interim decision published on 23 September 2020 and open for public consultation to 12 November 2020 to include nicotine for all human use in Schedule 4 of the Poisons Standard was made primarily on the basis of two considerations.

These are:

• To prevent the rapid growth of youth uptake in vaping seen overseas and already occurring in Australia - avoid the ON RAMP for non-smokers especially youth
• To facilitate simple and legal access to nicotine containing e-cigarettes for smoking cessation – provide the OFF RAMP for smokers.

Pending the final outcome of the process required by law, it has been decided to defer the proposed restriction on importation of personal nicotine vaporisers and, separately, nicotine for use in e-cigarettes (by an amendment to the Customs (Prohibited Imports) Regulations 1956). To proceed, at the present time, with such an amendment, would unnecessarily pre-empt any further deliberations the Delegate is required by the therapeutic goods regulatory scheme to take in reaching a final decision.