New e-cigarette laws which make it more difficult for minors to access the product come into effect from today.
The Marshall Liberal Government brought in the tobacco laws, aimed at limiting pathways for young people to progress to tobacco smoking.
Minister for Health and Wellbeing Stephen Wade said the introduction of the legislation is an important public health measure to reduce harm associated with e-cigarettes and will bring South Australia in line with most other states and territories.
"We are committed to protecting the community from the potential harms of e-cigarettes and have banned the online sales of e-cigarettes to minimise the risk of children getting access to these products," Minister Wade said.
"We are also strengthening smoke-free laws by banning the use of e-cigarettes in non-smoking areas.
"There will be a six month transition period for retailers to make some of the required changes to their business, which will provide time to remove displays, advertising, and online sales of e-cigarette products."
State Director of Drug and Alcohol Services South Australia (DASSA), Marina Bowshall, said e-cigarettes generate an aerosol or vapour for inhalation and the risks of using these products are unknown.
"The regulation of e-cigarette products will be in line with how tobacco products are currently regulated to limit access for minors," Ms Bowshall said.
"It will be an offence to sell or supply e-cigarettes to a person under the age of 18 years, use e-cigarettes in a public smoke-free area, and provide free samples, prizes, or gifts relating to e-cigarettes.
"The laws will also prohibit the online sale of e-cigarettes, including online sales to South Australian residents by interstate or overseas retailers.
"The new laws take a precautionary approach aiming to protect the health of the community, including children, while still allowing adults to access these products and we will continue to monitor research into the health effects of e-cigarettes."
From 31 March 2019, penalties in the tobacco control laws will increase and a definition for shisha tobacco will be added to make it clear that laws, such as not smoking in a smoke-free area, also apply to smoking shisha.
