What does nicotine prohibition mean for purchasers of vape liquids?


Under this impending prohibition, Australians will no longer be able to import nicotine for their own personal use for vaping from 1 January 2021. Only doctors or medical suppliers will be able to import nicotine with licenses granted by the Department of Health and provide nicotine to Australians that hold a prescription for nicotine.

If you attempt to personally import nicotine from 1 January 2021, the Australian Border Force (ABF) "will be obliged to send you a seizure letter giving you an opportunity to object to the seizure of the e-cigarettes. For example, a valid objection may be because they do not contain vaporiser nicotine. The government, through the TGA laboratories, may also test products that are suspected of containing nicotine."

From the Dept of Health announcement, "There are harsh penalties for importing, attempting to import, and possessing a prohibited import under the Customs Act 1901. These offenses are punishable by a penalty of up to 1,000 penalty units (from 1 July 2020, $222,000).
 To comply with the law, if you believe e-cigarettes may assist you with smoking cessation please discuss with your doctor and follow the correct procedure."

For more detail read the Joint media release - Department of Health (ODC) and Australian Border Force, 19 June 2020, Australian Government proposes strengthening its stance against e-cigarettes containing vaporiser nicotine.

Can I purchase nicotine e-liquid before the prohibition comes into place on 1 January 2020?


From 1st January 2021, unless the government makes further changes all vape suppliers will only be able to directly offer Australians nicotine-free e-liquids, vape devices and replacement parts as the ban only apply to e-liquid containing nicotine. 

Jody Morgan, Associate Research Fellow, University of Wollongong writes an interesting article in The Conversation (June 30, 2020) on why the ban on nicotine vape fluid will do more harm than good.

Further reading: Health Minister Greg Hunt delays ban on vaping imports until next year, ABC News Political Reporter, Anna Henderson, 28 June 2020. 

We want to assure our customers that we will work tirelessly to be able to supply Liberty Flights products under the new supplier requirements the government is putting in place. This will take time and we will keep you informed of our progress.

Please contact us if you have any questions and would like to discuss this announcement in more detail. Our support team is available 7 days a week so please reach out anytime via return email or phone us on 1300 662 689.