On 1 July and 1 October 2024, new laws about vaping products were introduced for Australia. This had led to questions from HCi members about eligibility for claiming therapeutic vapes (also known as nicotine vapes to aid in stopping smoking) under HCi’s extras cover.
HCi cover and vapes
The short answer is that HCi cannot pay claims for vapes or vape products.
Please refer to our pharmacy claims information for a greater understanding of what is eligible.
You should be aware that vapes are currently not registered with the TGA as smoking cessation nor nicotine dependence therapy goods. In some Australian states, these vapes may be provided without a prescription as long as the pharmacist has a consultation with the patient. This does not count as equivalent to a prescription from a doctor or specialist, for the purposes of HCi claim requirements.
What are the new rules for vapes?
From 1 July 2024, vapes and vape products cannot be sold except through a pharmacy.
Note that pharmacists are not required to stock vapes and that medicinal cannabis vapes are managed under separate regulations.
For further details on the new laws, and the higher TGA product standards due in early 2025, please refer to the TGA and Government websites.