From January 1, 2021, users will no longer be allowed to import nicotine-containing fluids for use in e-cigarettes, even if they have a prescription. The measures, which were initially set to come into force on July 1, 2020, are in addition to the existing domestic ban on sales of these products. When quizzed last week on the new rules, Health Minister Greg Hunt claimed "people can still bring them in if they have a prescription from their doctor".

 But this is not strictly the case. What do the new rules actually say? From January 1, e-cigarette users will not only need a prescription from their doctor, they will also need a doctor who is willing and able to import the products on their behalf. This will require the doctor to have a permit to import nicotine as an unauthorised therapeutic. It is hard to imagine many doctors will to go to these lengths to provide access to nicotine so their patients can continue vaping. 

As these regulations have only just been announced, there are currently no medical professionals in Australia with these permits already in place. With doctors already hesitant to prescribe nicotine for vaping (there are only nine GPs on the Australian Tobacco Health Reduction Association's list of known prescribers), it is unlikely there will be any who are willing to add the additional burden of applying for permits and organising importation. 

So, come January 1, what are Australians who use nicotine-containing e-cigarette fluids going to do? Option one: vapers go "cold turkey" and give up nicotine altogether. Many vapers use e-cigarettes because they were unable to quit smoking using any other method, including nicotine replacement therapy. One study found 18% of ex-smokers who had switched to e-cigarettes were still smoke-free at the one-year mark, compared with 9.9% of those who had switched to nicotine patches.