Australia wants to be the first to turn youth vaping rates around – but will its plan work?

Having e-cigarettes available on prescription sends a ‘confusing message’ about their harmfulness, one expert says, but others say a total ban would prevent access for those who want to quit smoking. Photograph: Addictive Stock Creatives/Alamy

If the Australian government’s plan to ban recreational vaping – particularly among teenagers – succeeds, there won’t be any more sales of disposable vapes at corner stores, no flavours, no branding or colourful packaging. In fact, the only place where it will be legal to buy one will be at a pharmacy, and even then it will require a prescription.

But the big unanswered question is will this bold scheme work?