As of April 2025, new legislation has officially reshaped how tobacco products are sold, packaged, and promoted across Australia. The Public Health (Tobacco and Other Products) Act 2023 is now in full effect, replacing older laws and introducing stricter measures aimed at reducing smoking rates and protecting public health. For Australian smokers, this marks a significant shift. The new laws are designed to discourage the use of tobacco products, restrict how they’re marketed, and offer more support to those who want to quit. Here's what you need to know.
What’s Changed Under the New Law?
The updated legislation continues the ban on tobacco advertising and sponsorships and now includes tighter rules around product packaging. All tobacco products must follow new standards for:
- - Pack size and cigarette stick size
- - Ingredient content (with restrictions on additives that enhance appeal)
- - Plain packaging and naming (no more catchy brand or variant names)
Attractive features like crush balls and flavour beads are now prohibited. Health warnings on cigarette packaging have also been expanded and made more prominent.
New Quit-Focused Requirements for Packaging
One of the most impactful changes is the introduction of mandatory health promotion inserts inside cigarette packs. These inserts provide practical tips and motivation to help people quit smoking.
In addition to inserts, on-product health messages have been updated to clearly explain the risks of smoking and encourage people to stop—or not start at all.
More Transparency from the Tobacco Industry
The law now requires manufacturers to disclose:
- - Ingredients in their tobacco products
- - Pricing and sales volumes
- - Spending on advertising, promotion, and sponsorship
These changes aim to improve accountability across the industry and ensure that regulations keep pace with product innovation and marketing strategies.
Transition Period and Sell-Through
Although the Act came into effect in April 2024, businesses have had a transition period to adapt. Between now and 30 June 2025, retailers may continue selling products that comply with the previous legislation.
From 1 July 2025 onwards, only products that meet the new requirements will be permitted for sale in Australia.
Restrictions on Vaping Products
While this legislation focuses heavily on tobacco, it also introduces further restrictions on e-cigarette promotion and availability. Flavoured vapes and certain device types are being phased out, and illegal imports are under tighter scrutiny through a newly appointed Illicit Tobacco and E-cigarette Commissioner.
This can make it harder to access the products some Australians have used as quit aids—especially through non-medical or unregulated pathways.
How Can Smokers Quit?
Australia’s approach to tobacco control is getting stricter—and fast. If smoking has been part of your life for a long time, these changes can feel disruptive. But they’re also an opportunity to take back control.
There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to quitting, but there are several evidence-based tools available to support the process.
- - Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT): Options include patches, gum, lozenges, inhalers and sprays. These work by reducing withdrawal symptoms and cravings while gradually tapering off nicotine.
- - Prescription Quit Aids: Some medications, like varenicline or bupropion, can be prescribed by a doctor and help reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms.
- - Therapeutic Vaping: Under Australia’s medical framework, nicotine vapes can be legally prescribed by a healthcare professional as a quit-smoking aid. These products are regulated for quality and safety and offer an alternative pathway for those who haven’t succeeded with other options.
- - Counselling and Support Services: Support from trained professionals or support groups (online or in person) can significantly increase your chances of quitting successfully.
- - Behavioural Changes: Identifying triggers, creating new routines, and using mindfulness or stress-reduction techniques can make a big difference.
- - Combination Approaches: Combining medication with behavioural support is often more effective than using one method alone.
The most important thing? You don’t have to do it alone. Support is available—and proven to help.
Ready to start your quitting journey today? — here’s how.
