A bill to make vapes only available on prescription has been recommended by the Australian senate.
The new legislation, if passed, will ban the manufacture, sale and advertising of vapes. A vote is expected in June.
The legislation was introduced by health minister Mark Butler in March before being referred by the senate to the community affairs legislation committee for inquiry.
On Wednesday, the committee published its report, recommending the legislation be passed. It comes after evidence from public hearings from the health, education, pharmaceutical, vaping, medical and retail sectors across two days of hearings.
The legislation will also see increased civil penalties, including up to seven years imprisonment for convicted offenders.
The recommendation comes after anti-vaping professor Emily Banks made a shock admission to the inquiry that the only known deaths from vapes are from the batteries exploding.
Vaping advocates argue that the strict reforms will fail adult smokers who need easy access to vapes to help them quit.
