In Australia, the regulatory landscape around Australian E-cigarette Prescription has undergone substantial changes in recent years. For those who use nicotine e-cigarettes, obtaining them through prescribed legal pathways remains a crucial yet challenging process. This becomes even more complex when considering specific populations, such as individuals who regularly use illicit drugs.
This article explores crucial data from the Ecstasy and Related Drugs Reporting System (EDRS) and the Illicit Drugs Reporting System (IDRS). These findings provide valuable insight into e-cigarette prescription use and access between 2022 and 2024, with a focus on the unique Australian regulatory context.
Understanding Australia’s Prescription-based E-cigarette Model
The Australian E-cigarette Prescription system is one of the most regulated globally. Since October 1, 2021, Australians have been required to obtain a prescription to access nicotine-containing e-cigarettes. This regulation was introduced to restrict recreational use and ensure that e-cigarettes are used primarily for smoking cessation. Legally, these products can only be acquired from Australian pharmacies with a valid prescription.
However, the 2024 introduction of a “pharmacy-only” model marked a major change. Under this approach:
- E-cigarettes with nicotine concentrations ≤20 mg/mL no longer require a prescription.
- Sales remain restricted to pharmacies.
- Usage must still align with smoking cessation or managing nicotine dependence.
While these adjustments are aimed at striking a balance between public health objectives and accessibility, the data reveals gaps in how well these regulations are understood and engaged with.
Insights from EDRS and IDRS Participants
Study Overview
The research drew on data from two national drug monitoring programs:
- EDRS (Ecstasy and Related Drugs Reporting System): Focuses on individuals who use ecstasy and related stimulants.
- IDRS (Illicit Drug Reporting System): Examines the behaviours of those who inject illicit drugs.
Data collected in 2024 included responses from:
- 740 EDRS participants
- 884 IDRS participants
Participants detailed their e-cigarette use, access pathways, and difficulties engaging with the prescription model.
Key Findings:
Low Uptake of Prescribed E-cigarettes
Engagement with prescribed e-cigarettes was extremely low:
- Only 1% of participants in both systems reported using prescribed e-cigarettes within six months before their 2024 interviews.
- This rate has remained consistently low since data monitoring began in 2022.
Usage Patterns Among Prescribed Users
For those who accessed prescribed e-cigarettes:
- EDRS Users: 82% reported using nicotine-containing products. Among these, the majority were daily users, with a median consumption of 180 days over six months. However, 55% concurrently used non-prescribed e-cigarettes.
- IDRS Users: Every prescribed user (100%) also reported concurrent use of traditional tobacco products.
Access Methods for Prescribed Users
The research highlighted where and how participants obtained their prescribed nicotine e-cigarettes:
- 90% of prescribed users sourced their prescriptions from Australian prescribers.
- 82% purchased the products from Australian online pharmacies.
Barriers to Obtaining Prescribed E-cigarettes
Despite a regulated framework providing legal access, most participants did not engage with the prescription model.
Reported Difficulties
Only 1% of respondents encountered difficulty in accessing prescribed e-cigarettes. However, the overwhelming majority indicated they had no intention of seeking a prescription:
- 90% (EDRS participants) did not attempt to obtain one.
- 94% (IDRS participants) also refrained from pursuing prescriptions.
Reasons for Avoiding Prescriptions
Participants shared their reasons for not pursuing legal access:
- Among EDRS participants:
- 32% felt prescriptions were unnecessary as they could access e-cigarettes without one.
- 27% stated they did not use e-cigarettes for smoking cessation.
- 18% were unaware that prescriptions were required.
- Among IDRS participants:
- 29% noted that they were not using e-cigarettes to quit smoking.
- 26% lacked awareness of the regulatory requirement.
- 25% claimed they could obtain e-cigarettes easily without a prescription.
Regulatory Knowledge Gaps: These findings underscore significant gaps in user awareness regarding Australia’s e-cigarette regulations. Limited knowledge of prescription requirements, coupled with the widespread availability of non-prescribed products, contributes to low engagement with legal access pathways.
Implications for the Future of E-cigarette Access in Australia
The data raises compelling questions about whether Australia’s strict regulatory approach is achieving its intended goals. Key considerations include:
Limited Engagement with Legal Pathways
The persistently low rates of prescription use suggest limited adoption of the prescribed model by individuals who regularly use illicit drugs. These findings indicate broader challenges in encouraging populations to engage with regulated systems.
Regulatory Awareness and Education
The high proportion of participants who were unaware of prescription requirements highlights the need for stronger public education campaigns. Informing Australians about regulatory changes could help bridge this gap, ensuring compliance and improved access to legal options.
Addressing Non-Cessation Use
The data reveals that many individuals use e-cigarettes recreationally rather than for smoking cessation. Given that all legal frameworks mandate cessation as a requirement, this disconnect warrants attention.
Ongoing Monitoring
Continued research is essential to assess the effectiveness of the pharmacy-only model introduced in 2024. Future studies should evaluate whether this approach successfully curbs illicit use, supports smoking cessation, and prevents misuse among non-smokers. (Source: WRD News)
