Geraldton pharmacies, tobacconists adjusting to new ‘watered down’ Federal vape laws

Geraldton pharmacies, tobacconists, and vape users are adjusting to the new vape laws passed by the Federal Parliament last week, with local chemists unsure how or if they will sell e-cigarettes. The laws prohibit tobacconists, convenience stores, and vape shops from selling any kind of vape. Meanwhile, pharmacists have become eligible to sell vapes to people over 18 “where clinically appropriate” after the Government struck a deal with the Greens to “water down” the pre-requisite of needing a doctor’s script. A number of pharmacies in Geraldton are yet to stock vape products, with some still deciding the best course of action. Wizard Pharmacy at Stirlings Central is owned by Peter Santos, who said despite the laws coming into effect on Monday, there were still a lot of unknowns regarding the over-the-counter purchases. “In terms of the processes, I think the PSA (Pharmaceutical Society of Australia) and Guild are working out how we’re going to be able to do that safely for both patients and the pharmacist,” Mr Santos said. “The ability to deny someone if we don’t think it’s appropriate, being abused is a risk for the pharmacist.” Nicotine concentrations in vapes can differ depending on the brand of the vape, but they won’t be able to be purchased without a prescription until October 1. Mr Santos said more work was being done behind the scenes before over the counter vapes reached pharmacy shelves. “We’re waiting on the guideline provisions, we don’t really know exactly how it’s going to work,” he said “There’s so many brands, concentrations and stuff like that. “We’ve got to see what the market requires and what the Pharmacy Guild suggests.” However, paramount to the discussion was the idea that pharmacies would be selling vapes as a means to help smokers quit. “The goal for vapes at the end of to day is to help people stop smoking,” Mr Santos said. “It would be certain concentrations (of nicotine) at the top and you lower them until they drop to zero. “It being regulated, we’ll know exactly what’s in these vapes compared to how they’re traditionally sourced, so that is one benefit of the way it’s being done.” Blooms The Chemist on Marine Terrace confirmed they were aware of the changes to the laws, but were yet to stock any new products. A representative at the pharmacy said they were still debating whether or not to stock vapes to sell over-the-counter. Meanwhile, tobacconists are so far compliant with with the updated laws. Cloud 9 Smoke Shop in Geraldton was one of a few smoke shops that was unable to sell vapes of any kind for sale due to the Federal amendments. It comes after the chair of the Mid West GP Network said more work needed to be done to the reforms, but said it was a positive move for society. “I think it needs to be on a prescription-only medication that is prescribed in a consultation with a doctor, discussing the pros, cons, risks and benefits. Vaping isn’t benign,” Dr Richard Taylor recently told the Geraldton Guardian. “I was walking along Marine Terrace with my eight-year-old and I saw a discarded vape packet on the ground, and he picked it up and asked if it was a packet of lollies. “People who vape are three times more likely to take up smoking. It can cause seizures, lung injuries, burns and withdrawals. Overseas we are seeing kids who can’t make it through their three-hour exams at school without going into withdrawal.” Dr Taylor said the amendments helped reduce the access of vapes, without vape sales going underground.