Australia limits who can buy and sell vapes

STORY: Australia is putting limits on who can buy and sell vapes.

The new rules kicked in on Monday, and put the e-cigarettes behind pharmacy counters.

It’s all part of a bid to curb vaping by young people.

Anyone under 18 will need a prescription, and the rules might actually have been tougher.

The ruling Labor party had planned to limit sales to those with a medical need, regardless of age.

But that was dropped after opposition from Greens lawmakers, who said it would restrict access for people looking to quit smoking.

They said that could put a strain on the health service.

The new move drew a mixed response on Sydney streets:

"Government needs to do more, absolutely. I mean at this stage they don't really know the ongoing health risks of vaping, the long term health risks."

“I think it's just going to make people go for black market vapes or try to get vapes through their friends or online, or whatever the other routes of purchasing them are."

The new laws will also limit the concentration of nicotine in vapes, and restrict flavors to mint, menthol or tobacco.

Known for its strict anti-smoking approach, and steep tobacco taxes, Australia has already banned most vape imports.

While they are still widely available in stores, the government says its enforcement push has taken many of the products off the streets.