Leslie Massey
Australia has implemented a permanent ban on heated tobacco products, including IQOS, due to concerns about the potential harm to public health and the environment. The Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has classified nicotine as a dangerous poison, preventing the sale of all consumer products containing nicotine, such as e-cigarettes and heated tobacco devices. This decision was made despite efforts from tobacco companies like Philip Morris International to legalise the sale of heated tobacco products in the country. The TGA found no compelling evidence that these products helped people quit smoking or reduced harm, and instead concluded that they posed a high risk of causing harm and were simply a new way of delivering nicotine. With the support of health organisations and institutions, Australia's ban on heated tobacco products, including IQOS, remains in place, with ongoing efforts to address the public health issues associated with vaping and nicotine dependence.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Reason for ban | The Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) believes that heated tobacco products do not help people quit smoking and do not make a significant contribution to harm reduction. |
| Classification of nicotine in Australia | Nicotine is classified as a Schedule 7 substance, i.e., "dangerous poison" under the Standard for the Uniform Scheduling of Medicines and Poisons (SUSMP). |
| Products banned | All consumer products with nicotine, including e-cigarettes, white pouch snus, and heated tobacco products. |
| Sale of nicotine products | Nicotine-containing e-cigarettes can be accessed with a prescription under Schedule 4. |
| Vaping laws | Vapes and vaping products can only be sold in a pharmacy for the purpose of helping people quit smoking or manage nicotine dependence. |
| Importation laws | Importation of disposable vapes and non-therapeutic vapes is prohibited. |
| Personal possession and use | Not criminalised by the Australian Government. |
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What You'll Learn
- Nicotine is classified as a dangerous poison in Australia
- Heated tobacco products are not proven to help people quit smoking
- Scientists say heated tobacco products are not proven safe to use
- Vapes and e-cigarettes can contain dangerous substances
- Australia's heated tobacco regulatory framework covers advertising and taxation
Nicotine is classified as a dangerous poison in Australia
In Australia, nicotine is classified as a Schedule 7 substance, deemed a "dangerous poison" under the Standard for the Uniform Scheduling of Medicines and Poisons (SUSMP). This classification prohibits the sale of all consumer products containing nicotine, including heated tobacco products, e-cigarettes, and vaping devices.
Nicotine is a highly addictive and toxic substance predominantly found in tobacco leaves. It is the chemical that makes tobacco products, such as cigarettes, cigars, and smokeless tobacco, addictive. While nicotine itself is poisonous, the toxicity and harmful effects of nicotine consumption are often associated with the various chemicals and substances used in the delivery methods, such as the liquid and aerosol in e-cigarettes and vaping devices.
Nicotine poisoning refers to the toxic effects of consuming nicotine, which can occur through ingestion, inhalation, or skin contact. Poisoning typically occurs in two stages, with early symptoms including nausea, vomiting, increased salivation, abdominal pain, and increased blood pressure and heart rate. Late-phase symptoms include low blood pressure, slow heart rate, abnormal heart rhythms, muscle weakness, and respiratory failure. While serious or fatal nicotine overdoses are rare, they can occur, especially in children due to their lower body weight and smaller size.
In Australia, the decision to classify nicotine as a dangerous poison was made by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). The TGA found that heated tobacco products, such as those produced by Philip Morris, offered no public health benefit and had a high potential for harm. This stance is supported by health organisations such as Lung Foundation Australia, Cancer Council Australia, and the National Heart Foundation.
To protect public health, particularly that of young people, Australia has implemented strict regulations on the sale and use of nicotine-containing products, including e-cigarettes and vapes. These regulations aim to reduce the harm associated with nicotine dependence and exposure to toxic substances.
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Heated tobacco products are not proven to help people quit smoking
Australia has adopted a hardline stance against heated tobacco products, with the Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) issuing a final decision to uphold the country's existing laws that ban the sale of such items. This decision is based on the TGA's assessment that heated tobacco products (HTPs) do not offer any significant contribution to harm reduction and present no compelling evidence of any public health benefit.
The TGA's stance is supported by health experts, who recognise that while HTPs differ from traditional combustible cigarettes in that the tobacco is not ignited, there is insufficient evidence to declare them safe. In fact, the TGA specifically states that these products are not proven to help people quit smoking, which is a crucial distinction in the debate surrounding smoking alternatives.
The classification of nicotine as a Schedule 7 substance, or "dangerous poison", under Australian law further reinforces the country's strict approach to tobacco control. This classification prohibits the sale of all consumer products containing nicotine, including e-cigarettes and heated tobacco devices. It is important to note that while some individuals advocate for the use of HTPs as a means to quit smoking, the TGA maintains that smokers seeking tobacco-alternative products can access nicotine-containing e-cigarettes with a prescription under Schedule 4.
The Australian government's position on heated tobacco is part of a broader strategy to address the harms associated with vaping and nicotine dependence. Recent regulatory changes have been implemented to control the supply chain of vaping products, with a particular focus on protecting young people from the dangers of vaping. These reforms aim to reduce the widespread availability of vapes while preserving legitimate access for smoking cessation and nicotine management under medical supervision.
While the tobacco industry continues to advocate for the legalisation of HTPs, citing their potential as less harmful alternatives, Australia remains steadfast in its decision. The country's comprehensive approach to tobacco control, including strict advertising and importation regulations, reflects a commitment to prioritising public health and addressing the harmful impacts of tobacco use.
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Scientists say heated tobacco products are not proven safe to use
Australia has banned heated tobacco products, including those by Philip Morris International (PMI), due to concerns over their safety and lack of proven health benefits.
The Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has found no evidence that heated tobacco products (HTPs) contribute to harm reduction and has seen no compelling evidence of any public health benefit. Scientists say that not enough is known about these products to declare them safe to use.
Nicotine is classified in Australia as a Schedule 7 substance, or "dangerous poison", which prevents the sale of all consumer products containing nicotine, including e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products. The TGA has rejected requests to reclassify nicotine to allow the sale of HTPs, stating that they do not help people quit smoking.
While Philip Morris has expressed disappointment over the decision, impacting Australia's three million smokers who they believe would benefit from less harmful alternatives, the TGA maintains that HTPs are simply a new way of delivering nicotine rather than a quit-smoking product.
The Australian government has taken an increasingly negative approach towards heated tobacco, with personal imports of such products banned from March 2024. This aligns with the country's efforts to reduce the widespread availability of vapes and other smoking alternatives, targeting the commercial and criminal supply while ensuring personal possession and use of vapes remain legal.
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Vapes and e-cigarettes can contain dangerous substances
Australia has implemented a permanent ban on heated tobacco products, including IQOS, due to health concerns and the absence of proven benefits. The Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) concluded that heated tobacco products do not significantly contribute to harm reduction and found no compelling evidence of any public health benefit.
Furthermore, the liquids and aerosols used in vapes and e-cigarettes can contain dangerous substances, including known cancer-causing agents such as formaldehyde. Some chemicals in e-cigarette aerosols have also been linked to DNA damage. The presence of these harmful substances underscores the health risks associated with the use of vapes and e-cigarettes, which is why Australia has taken steps to regulate and restrict their use and importation.
In recent years, Australia has introduced laws and reforms to address the health risks posed by vaping and to control the supply chain of these products. As of July 2024, vapes and vaping products, regardless of nicotine content, can only be sold in pharmacies to help people quit smoking or manage nicotine dependence. The importation of disposable and non-therapeutic vapes has also been prohibited, with limited exceptions for international travelers carrying small quantities for personal treatment. These measures aim to protect public health, particularly young people, who are vulnerable to the harmful effects of nicotine and other toxic substances found in vapes and e-cigarettes.
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Australia's heated tobacco regulatory framework covers advertising and taxation
Australia's regulatory framework for heated tobacco products covers a range of policy areas, including advertising and taxation.
In Australia, nicotine is classified as a Schedule 7 substance, or a "dangerous poison", under the Standard for the Uniform Scheduling of Medicines and Poisons (SUSMP). This classification prevents the sale of all consumer products with nicotine, including heated tobacco products. The Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has issued a final decision not to amend the country's Poisons Standard, which effectively bans the sale of heated tobacco products in the country. The TGA has stated that heated tobacco products do not significantly contribute to harm reduction and that there is no compelling evidence of any public health benefit. This decision is supported by various health organisations in Australia, including the Lung Foundation Australia, Cancer Council Australia, and the National Heart Foundation.
The regulatory framework for heated tobacco products in Australia also addresses advertising and promotion. The Public Health (Tobacco and Other Products) Act 2023, which came into effect on 1 April 2024, applies the same bans on advertising and sponsorship to vapes as it does to tobacco products. This means that the advertising and promotion of heated tobacco products are subject to strict regulations and likely prohibited in many cases.
In terms of taxation, while there is no specific mention of tax rates for heated tobacco products in Australia, the country has a history of implementing tobacco excise taxes. These taxes are typically applied to tobacco products to discourage their consumption and generate revenue for government initiatives, such as public health programs. It is likely that heated tobacco products would be subject to similar excise taxes, but the specific rates and structures may vary.
Overall, Australia's regulatory framework for heated tobacco products, including IQOS, covers a range of policy areas such as advertising restrictions, taxation policies, and product labelling requirements. The framework aims to protect public health, particularly by reducing the harm caused by tobacco use and nicotine dependence.
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Frequently asked questions
IQOS, a heated tobacco product, is banned in Australia because nicotine is classified as a "dangerous poison" under the Standard for the Uniform Scheduling of Medicines and Poisons (SUSMP). This classification prevents the sale of all consumer products with nicotine, including e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products. The Australian government takes a negative approach towards heated tobacco and herbal heated products.
The regulatory framework in Australia for heated tobacco products covers policy areas such as advertising, taxation, notification, and labelling requirements. The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has found that heated tobacco products offer no public health benefit and may cause harm.
Some people argue that heated tobacco products are less harmful than traditional cigarettes because the tobacco is not ignited. They believe that smokers should have access to alternative products that can help them quit smoking.
Yes, individuals who want to use a tobacco-alternative product to quit smoking can access nicotine-containing e-cigarettes with a prescription under Schedule 4. However, as of March 2024, personal imports of heated tobacco and devices into Australia are no longer allowed.
The ban on heated tobacco products has impacted the tobacco industry in Australia, with companies like Philip Morris expressing disappointment over the decision to block the sale of their cigarette substitutes. They argue that their products offer a less harmful alternative for smokers.
