The Latest Breaking News from Mark Butler

A range of new restrictions on vape products have been announced. Here is what’s being proposed – and what is yet to be decided

Australian Health Minister Mark Butler has announced a major policy shift on vaping. Its two primary objectives are to make it harder for children and non-smokers to access vapes and to allow people trying to quit smoking to access nicotine vapes with a prescription.

E-cigarettes were not ‘sold as a recreational product – especially not one for our kids,’ says health minister

The Labour leader also urged ministers to ban colourful packaging and attractive flavours for kids such as unicorn crush or cotton candy amid 9% of 11 to 15 year old children having used e-cigarettes in 2021

Federal Health Minister Mark Butler has long said Medicare is in the worst shape it’s been in decades. Premiers have come to successive national cabinet meetings saying primary care is failing – and demanding reform and investment.

Currently, there is not a single vaping product containing nicotine approved by Australia's drug regulator, meaning that these medicines have not been tested for quality and safety.

Australia’s tobacco tax will be increased by billions of dollars over the next four years as the government cracks down on smoking and vaping

Vapes will only be available in pharmacies as an aid to help quitting smokers

Vapes with nicotine were first banned in 2021 but now the federal government is getting serious about border control laws allowing the import of devices.