News

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SA bans e-cigarettes for under-18s

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Following a six-month transition period given to SA e-cigarette retailers in order to make the required changes to their business, penalties for failing to comply with regulations are now in place.
 
State Director of Drug and Alcohol Services South Australia, Marina Bowshall, described the new legislation as a ‘step towards’ improving public health.
 
‘This is an important public health measure to reduce the exposure to the effects of e-cigarettes and to bring South Australia in line with most other states and territories,’ Ms Bowshall said.
 
The new laws build on those implemented in March, under the Tobacco and E-Cigarette Products Act 1997 and Tobacco and e-cigarette products regulations 2019 acts, and stipulate the prohibition of:

• sale or supply of e-cigarette products to a person under the age of 18 years, including online
• sale of e-cigarette products by retail without a Retail Tobacco and E-Cigarette Merchant’s Licence
• provision or offering to provide free samples, prizes, gifts or other benefits in connection to the sale of e-cigarette products
• sale of e-cigarette products from temporary outlets, sales trays and vending machines
• use of e-cigarettes in public places that are currently smoke-free under the law, including in a motor vehicle if a child under the age of 16 years is present.

Adults over the age of 18 are still able to buy e-cigarette products, but there are no changes to the ban on the sale of nicotine for use in e-cigarettes under the Controlled Substances Act 1984.
 
SA Health also recommends that all e-cigarette retailers should be given adequate training on how to avoid selling the products to those under the age of 18. This includes training any relatives or friends who might occasionally work in the business, as well as paid employees.
 
Proprietors are advised to ensure all staff know the consequences if they are found to have sold e-cigarette products to a person under the age of 18, and what procedures to follow if a customer becomes difficult when asked to produce identification.
 
The strict regulations are part of a public health measure to promote smoking cessation and raise awareness of the potential effects of e-cigarettes.
 
‘While we don’t know the full health effects of e-cigarette smoking, [they] generate an aerosol or vapour for inhalation, which is potentially harmful,’ Ms Bowshall said.
 
‘This precautionary approach will protect the health of the community, including children, while still allowing adults to access these products and we will continue to monitor research into the health effects of e-cigarettes.’

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