Government waters down vaping ban to win support of Greens

Australia will become the first country to ban the sale of vapes outside of pharmacies, but access won't be restricted to prescription-only.

The federal government has agreed to water down its proposed e-cigarette ban, due to take effect from next week, in order to win the support of the Greens in the Senate.

The party agreed to pass the bill with amendments allowing adults to buy vapes through pharmacies without a GP prescription, and enabling people under 18 to access vapes with a prescription if deemed clinically appropriate.

The requirement to have a prescription will be "down-scheduled" from October.

Additional funding will also be committed to support young people quitting vaping.

E-cigarettes for sale at pharmacies will still be regulated and subject to plain packaging requirements, with flavours limited to mint, menthol or tobacco.

In a statement, Health Minister Mark Butler said the government's "world-leading laws" would return vapes to their original purpose: "as therapeutic products to help hardened smokers kick the habit".

"These laws protect young Australians and the broader community from the harms of recreational vaping, while ensuring that those who really need access to a therapeutic vape for help to quit smoking, can get one from their local pharmacy," Mr Butler said.

"The best time to have done this was five years ago. The second-best time is right now."

The government has warned without urgent action, a new generation of nicotine addicts will be created, with recent data showing the first rise in nicotine use through vapes or smoking by young people in decades.

The peak body for pharmacists however says it "strongly opposes" the deal to drop prescriptions.

"Pharmacists are healthcare professionals who dispense medication that provides a proven therapeutic benefit. No vaping product has been approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration based on its safety, efficacy or performance," a spokesperson for the Pharmacy Guild said.

"Everyone wants to keep illegal vapes out of the hands of kids and teenagers, but the Senate wants pharmacists to stock vapes next to children's Panadol, cold and flu medicine, and emergency contraception."

Greens health spokesperson Jordon Steele-John said the Greens do not support prohibition but do want to prevent children from picking up vapes.

"That is why we have successfully secured changes to this legislation to ensure that vapes remain out of the hands of kids, but adults can access them via a pharmacy, and there's no chance of individuals being criminalised for possessing a personal vape," Senator Steele-John said.

The government did not intend to criminalise personal possession, but has agreed to add further detail to the bill to clarify that offence provisions only apply "in a retail setting".

A statutory review of the world-first laws will be held in three years' time.