New South Wales Bans Vaping In Public Places Where Smoking Is Already Prohibited

Come July, vapers in New South Wales will be under the same usage restrictions as cigarette smokers thanks to new laws passed earlier this month.

That’s right, starting this July, those who vape in public places where smoking has already been prohibited will find themselves subject to the long arm of the law. Those who violate the newly passed, but not yet enacted vaping ban can be fined as much as $550.

Brad Hazzard, NSW’s health minister, was quoted by the Australian Associated Press as having explained in a statement:

“Put simply, where you are not allowed to smoke cigarettes, you now cannot vape either.”

Once the ban goes into effect, vapers will be prohibited from puffing on their vapes in shopping centers, libraries, public swimming pools, sports grounds, theaters, libraries, buses, trains, within close proximity to playgrounds, and even outdoor dining areas.

Hazzard cited evidence of potential health risks associated with e-cigarette vapors in justifying the government’s decision to ban the use of vaporizers in public places.

In Western Australia, vapers face the possibility of being slapped with a fine of up to $45,000 for vaping nicotine.

While Australia continues to crackdown on vaping, cigarette use in the country has risen for the first time in over a decade.