Australia’s unique nicotine regulatory framework – can light touch medicines regulation work?

In this session, Prof Coral Gartner will provide a brief history and timelines of the major regulatory changes in Australia and examine the implementation and outcomes of the “Prescription model approach” where the defined objective was “to prevent adolescents and young adults from taking up nicotine vaping products while allowing current smokers to access these products for smoking cessation with appropriate medical advice”.  Prof Gartner will discuss the challenges of the prescription model and reference patterns of vaping use, looking at age and motivation and how well the prescription model was used for smoking cessation.  Finally, Prof Gartner will discuss the most recent regulatory change that allows vape products to be sold by pharmacies without a prescription.  In conclusion, Prof Gartner will summarise the challenge of reaching a compromise that allows for wider access to vaping products while retaining health professional oversight while different groups argue for the continuation of the prescription model or introduction of a consumer model.