Electronic or e-cigarettes and vapours are currently Illegal in Australia without a prescription, and as such are banned from use at VU.
Nicotine that has not been medically prescribed is considered a ‘dangerous poison’ under drugs and poisons laws. These apparatus do still omit a vapour and it is unclear as to the health risks of the chemicals being omitted. There are also electronic cigarettes that do not contain nicotine. These products can be sold in retail stores so long as the manufacturers do not make ‘therapeutic’ claims – for example, claims that the products can help people quit smoking. Only products that have been approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration can be marketed as quitting aids.
So far, no electronic cigarette has received approval from the Therapeutic Goods Administration. It is unclear by looking at the apparatus which one includes nicotine and which doesn’t, and which user holds a prescription for the use of it and who doesn’t. It has therefore been decided that all electronic cigarettes and vapours will be included in the ban.