Australia: Laws getting tougher on Smokers and Vapers
Australia has always had some of the toughest laws in the world since 2000 to reduce
smoking rates, consistently implementing new measures to reduce smoking rates.
Ann-Marie Johansen, Owner of The Gold Coast and Brisbane Stop Smoking Clinic, says "that people stopping smoking has slowed down in recent years and is concerned these new regulations being implented from April 1, 2025 will not significantly reduce smoking rates in this country".
Will these new laws make a difference?
"Personally I'm not convinced. Perhaps in the early stages. These changes do not deal with the core problem of smoking, the habit', she says.
Ann-Marie says "that people that normaily smoke 30+ cigarettes a day will be forced, with these new law, to purchase the smaller packets of 20. These smaller packs are currently more expensive per stick and that will just end up costing the consumer more money",
"Reducing packet size will just make people buy more packets, writing health messages on individual cigarettes, may have an impact early on but people quickly get used to these messages" says Ann-Marie ,
" Also, more than 35% of my cigarette smoking clients are buying "chop chop", untaxed, illegal tobacco' and these changes will just push more smokers to buy chop, chop which is a health concern and will limit Australia's ability to have accurate numbers of smokers", she says.
Ann-Marie has been helping smokers to stop since 2010 and sees more 500 smokers/vapers each year.
Key Dates
1st April 2025
Manufacturers will no longer be able to sell or distribute products that do not comply with the updated regulations.
Retailers can still continue selling non-compliant products until July 2025.
1st July 2025
Retailers will be banned from selling any tobacco products that do not meet the new regulations.
Key Changes in Tobacco Regulations
Total Bans
Menthol and capsule cigarettes will be completely banned in Australia.
Flavour and Ingredient Restrictions
Stricter ingredient regulations will alter the composition of cigarettes, particularly roll-your-own (RYO) tobacco, which has traditionally contained added flavours.
Pack Size
Tailor made cigarettes - 20-cigarette packs
Roll your own tobacco - 30g pouches
Health Warning
Every individual cigarette will now be required to have printed health warnings
Time to Quit?
Now is the perfect time for smokers / vapers to consider quitting, its just getting harder. Even if you've tried to quit before,
Our clinics help over 500 people each year to stop smoking. If you want more information on costs of our stop smoking sessions CLICK HERE
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