Amber Jade Sanderson, the Minister for Health in Western Australia, has announced that she will seek to overturn federal laws banning pharmacies from selling vapes without a prescription, in response to community concerns about children’s access to vapes. Despite the new federal regulations coming into effect, Western Australia will still maintain strict sales restrictions.
The Australian state of Western Australia will introduce new rules
According to a report by The West on Sep 25, the Australian state of Western Australia will seek to overturn a federal law banning the over-the-counter sale of vapes in pharmacies.
Amber Jade Sanderson, the state’s health minister, will announce new rules on Wednesday that will prohibit the sale of vapes without a prescription. This comes ahead of the implementation of new federal rules next Tuesday (October 2) that will allow pharmacists to sell vapes under “clinically moderate” conditions. In addition, it requires graphic warnings on packaging, uniform brands, and sizes, and bans the use of additives in cigarette products. Therapeutic vapes are limited to the smell of menthol, menthol, and cigarettes.
The federal government’s move has raised concerns in the community about easier access to vapes for children, as well as concerns from pharmacists that they will become cigarette dealers.
Ban pharmacies from selling vapes without a prescription
Under the Constitution, federal law will apply if there is a conflict between federal and state laws; However, this does not extend to management systems. Although the amendments to the 2016 Drugs and Narcotics Regulations cannot be introduced before the new federal regulations take effect on October 1, they are being developed as a “priority,” according to the report.
Mr Sanderson said it would remain illegal to sell vapes without prescription in Western Australia:
- “There is solid evidence that vapes contain dangerous substances and chemicals that can cause deadly diseases and cancer – and we welcome the Albanian State’s steps to improve packaging taste.”
- “We took advice from the community and pharmacists who told us we didn’t want to sell vapes over the pharmacy counter. We share their concerns, so, like other states, we should introduce new laws and regulations to maintain our strong protections.”
When the deal between Labor and the Greens was announced at the end of June, the pharmacists’ union attacked it fiercely. Deputy President Anthony Tassone said the reforms put a new generation of young people at risk.
- “Pharmacists are health care professionals, and community pharmacies don’t want to offer this potentially harmful and highly addictive commodity without a prescription.”
