Australia begins crackdown on vaping, to ban import of single-use devices

FILE PHOTO: Vape pens stand in a display cabinet at a vape store, in Melbourne, Australia, May 2, 2023. REUTERS/Sandra Sanders/File Photo

SYDNEY (Reuters) - Australia will ban imports of disposable vapes in January, the Health Minister said on Tuesday, the first step in a crackdown aimed at curbing the growing popularity of these nicotine-filled devices with young people.

The ban will be expanded in March to include all non-therapeutic vapes, including refillable devices, while importers of vapes for medical purposes will need permit from the Office of Drug control, Health Minister Mark Butler said in a statement.