The use of e-cigarettes in Australia has grown rather significantly over the past five years or so. While switching to vaping alternatives or electronic smokes has not been proven as a viable method of breaking a smoking addiction, some publications have endorsed the trend as being more beneficial than conventional smoking. Because the fad is only still relatively new, only time will tell as to whether the use of e-cigarettes in Australia will have positive social implications. If you are new to the whole trend, then here are a couple of little-known facts about smoking e-cigarettes in Australia.

 

The first electronic vaporiser was invented in 1927

It might amaze you to know that the basic technology underpinning electronic smokes was first patented in 1927 by Joseph Robinson, almost 100 hundred years ago. While the patent was officially approved in 1930, the device was never formally made or retailed for sale.

 

It wasn’t “common” until the 1960s

The reason why e-cigarettes in Australia and other parts of the world haven’t grown so much until now is because of society’s perception of smoking. All you need to do is look at films, television shows and other forms of media from the 1960s and 1970s – conventional smoking was considered a fashion statement and a classy activity. An electronic alternative to the process would have been tardy.

Nonetheless, an American inventor by the name of Herbert Gilbert produced a flavoured steam vaporiser in the 1960s but it never received any real attention. Many years later, Hon Lik, a Chinese pharmacist, registered his patent for a new design in 2003. It became the first commercially successful electronic smoking device.

 

The designs of e-cigarettes in Australia have changed immensely

Nowadays, electronic smokes have a sleek, efficient and minimalist design. They are easily rechargeable and practical. Since JUUL entered the market in 2015, the vaping industry has gone through massive technical change. The first type of vaping device was disposable, while it wasn’t until the second and third generation of electronic smokes that the devices were able to be reused and recharged.

 

JUUL has monopolised the market

If you’re in the market for new e-cigarettes in Australia, there’s a good chance you’ll end up with something from JUUL. By July 2019, JUUL had snatched up nearly 75% of the entire market share. Mind-boggling numbers.

 

The youth love the vaping trend

Moreover, it’s no secret that vaping has become a staple of youth culture. In fact, in 2017, around 11% of high school students had smoked from an electronic smoking device in the previous 30 days. By 2019, that number had risen astronomically to almost 28%.

 

Using e-cigarettes in Australia is complicated by law

National laws regarding the act of vaping are minimal and vague. Currently, there are no laws pertaining to the regulation of e-cigarettes in Australia, prompting the Federal Government to develop laws in this area. Having said this, the sale of electronic smokes must be registered with the TGA (Therapeutic Goods Administration) before they are commercially sold.

 

They cannot be marketed as a method to help quit smoking

Because the jury is still out on whether vaping can help ween users off conventional smoking, it is illegal to market e-cigarettes in Australia to help quit smoking. State and territorial regulations also conflict when it comes to using electronic smokes.

For example, in NSW it is illegal to display, promote or advertise electronic smoking devices. Similar laws have been implemented in SA, whilst electronic smokes cannot be legally sold in WA because of a 2014 Supreme Court decision that prohibited the act.