Nicotine prescriptions 1st October 2021
From October 1st, 2021, the Australian Government and Therapeutics Goods Administration (TGA) will require Australian Vapers to hold a prescription before importing nicotine e-liquid products (“unapproved medicines”) under the Personal Importation Scheme.
This page provides general information only and does not constitute legal advice.
It’s obligatory on you to make sure you’re following the proscribed vaping laws of whichever country you reside in.
Mrvapes cannot reimburse you for any seized shipments nor be liable for any fines levied by any authority - the onus is on you to ensure that you are compliant with any and all laws.
In Australia, you need a medical prescription to legally import nicotine e-cigarettes and vaping pods into Australia for your own use.
This is a legal requirement, and you can be asked to show your prescription to the Australian Border Force before your vaping products will be released by Customs for delivery to you.
New Online Clinic to Help Smokers Quit
A new online only medical clinic has also recently been set up by Australian doctors to assist smokers quit. Based in Sydney, https://www.quitclinics.com/ provides counseling by phone and can prescribe legal nicotine purchase and consumption. Here’s how it works…
Patients make an appointment online and pay a $85 fee prior to consultation (about the cost of two packs of cigarettes). There is no Medicare rebate.
The service is available Australia-wide.
Vaping nicotine is legal in Australia if you have a prescription for nicotine from a registered Australian doctor. Quitclinics will provide prescriptions where appropriate to help smokers quit or reduce relapse to smoking.
In special cases, doctors may recommend nicotine replacement or prescription medicine. In such cases, the doctors will send your prescription directly to your pharmacy.Quitclinics has been established by a registered Australian doctor. The service provides a secure face-to-face video consultation with the doctor
Nicotine prescriptions can be obtained from Australian-registered GPs or specialist doctors. Some doctors require a face to face appointment, however many provide phone or online telehealth appointments that may be covered by Medicare.
- Quictclinics or QuitRX is an online medical clinic specialising in helping smokers quit.
- ATHRA has a growing list of doctors
Click here to visit Quit clinics
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is the prescription only for nicotine-containing products?
The TGA requires you to have a valid prescription if you intend to import products that contain liquid nicotine; this includes nicotine vape juice, pre-filled nicotine pods and disposable vapes.
You do not need a prescription to import zero-nicotine vape juice, vape devices, coils, pods & any other product that does not contain liquid-nicotine.
2. Can you put a copy of my prescription inside all my shipped parcels?
Yes, you can upload your script from the cart page.
Three Easy steps to upload script
1. Browse for the script (PDF format) or take a photo of your script.
2. Make sure you click the upload script button, this will ensure your script is uploaded against that order.
3. Click check out.
4. Where can I get a nicotine prescription in Australia?
You can obtain a 3-month prescription from your GP or a 12-month prescription from any doctor/GP that is an authorised prescriber even if they are not your regular doctor. It's possible that your regular GP may not be be an authorised prescriber or not willing to prescribe nicotine e-cigarettes, so it's best to get your presciption from an authorised prescriber.
You can visit the ATHRA website, which lists doctors who are authorised prescribers who can issue 12-month nicotine prescriptions face to face, over the phone, online, or through email.
Quitclinics.com is the easiest, fastest solution at the moment. The whole process is done online and they can have a 12-month script emailed to you within 24hrs of filling out their application.
Please note we are not sponsored nor affiliated with quit clinics or any authorised prescribers. This is for your information only.
5. What is an authorised prescriber?
The Authorised Prescriber Scheme allows an authorised doctor/GP to write up to a 12-month prescription for nicotine-containing vape products without being required to get separate approval for individual patients from the TGA. Any medical practitioner can sign up for the scheme, but many doctors are unaware, so they are not signed up.
If your doctor/GP is not an authorised prescriber, they will likely write your script for a maximum of 3-months. If they want to write you a script that is longer than 3-months, they will need to get separate approval for individual patients from the TGA; this dramatically slows down the process and can be pretty tedious, so they will likely write your script up to the maximum 3-months as it does not require TGA approval.
You can visit the ATHRA website, which lists doctors who are authorised prescribers who can issue 12-month nicotine prescriptions face to face, over the phone, online, or through email.
6.Who can get a nicotine prescription & can I be denied one?
The prescription vaping model's core reason is to balance the need to prevent young people from taking up nicotine e-cigarettes while allowing current smokers access to vape products for smoking cessation. This means your doctor is unlikely to give you a prescription if you are not or never have been a smoker trying to quit smoking cigarettes.
7.What questions will my doctor ask me when getting a prescription?
Your doctor or authorised prescriber may ask you questions about your smoking history, how many cigarettes you smoke daily and how long you have smoked. If you currently vape, they may ask you how much nicotine vape juice you consume daily, weekly or monthly and what nicotine strength/s you vape. Your script may also note the volume and the nicotine strength you discuss with your doctor, so it's best to understand the information below to help you answer their questions.
- The amount you vape
Your prescriptions may contain a volume (ml) amount that can be imported per order. If you are unsure how much e-liquid you consume, it's better to over-estimate your consumption than under-estimate when speaking with your doctor or authorised prescriber. - The strength you vape
Your prescriptions may contain a nicotine strength limit (mg) that can be imported. Suppose you don't buy a single strength vape juice, i.e. 6mg, for every bottle in your usual order. In that case, it's best to inform your doctor or authorised prescriber that your nicotine strength varies, or you plan on starting on high nicotine strength juice and slowly lowering it over time. Your doctor can then note a range of strength on your prescription, for example, 6mg to 20mg. - The repeats on your script
Your prescriptions may contain the number of times you can use it (Repeats), so it's best to explain your current purchasing frequency to your doctor or authorised prescriber so they can match your repeats to your purchase volume. However, the repeats on your script are specific to making your purchase at an Australian Pharmacy, not through the personal importation scheme. - The length of your script
Your prescriptions will contain a valid time-period. The length is dictated by how many cigarettes you smoked daily, how many years you were a smoker for and what methods you have tried in the past to quit smoking other than vaping. For example, an ex-smoker who smoked 20+ cigarettes a day and was a smoker for 11+ years, who has previously tried nicotine gum & patches, is more likely to be written a 12-month prescription.
8. What happens once I have my prescription?
To ensure a smooth delivery process, the TGA has suggested that consumers share a copy of their prescription with their supplier (such as Mrvapes) to be included with their order. Once you have your prescription, Mrvapes will provide an option to upload these documents when checking out. Mrvapes will then ensure your prescription is included in your package. We expect this feature to be live in September 2021.
9. How many times can I use my prescription? (My script says only 3 x Repeats)
Your prescription may mention the number of times you can use it (Repeats). However, the repeats on your script only apply when making your purchase at an Australian Pharmacy. When you make your purchase with Mrvapes, you are importing using the personal importation scheme; We are an overseas supplier who is not a pharmacy, so we are not required to record or report how many times your script has been used.
10 . How much nicotine e-liquid can I import in one order, & what is a 3-month supply?
The TGA says if you are using the Personal Importation Scheme, you can order a maximum of 3 months' supply at any one time. The 3 month supply rule has always been the case when importing nicotine-containing vape products, even before October 1st 2021. However, a 3-month supply is not a one-size-fits-all rule and is calculated based on your unique vaping habits as discussed with your doctor or authorised prescriber.
11. What happens if my vape mail is stopped / inspected ?
Australian Border Force (ABF) has the power stop your import at the border.
If there is no prescription enclosed in the package;
- the ABF can refer the import to the TGA for assessment.
- The TGA will then contact you to ask for a copy of your prescription.
If you send the TGA a copy of your prescription, they will instruct the ABF to forward your package to you.
If you do not provide a copy of your prescription, the TGA has the power to request that the ABF forfeit (destroy) the goods possibly and/or penalties under Australian law, buyer beware
Mrvapes cannot reimburse you for any seized shipments nor be liable for any fines levied by any authority - the onus is on you to ensure that you are compliant with any and all laws.
Links and Resources
Nicotine Vaping Products - TGA
Nicotine E-cigarettes - Q&A - TGA
Nicotine e-cigarettes - Information for consumers - TGA
Consumers urged to see their GP ahead of changes to nicotine vaping laws - TGA