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Australia

Oceania

Last reviewed: 2026-06

Travelling to Australia with snus or nicotine pouches? Snus is banned and nicotine pouches are restricted. Cigarettes are legal for adults aged 18+. This page covers the legal status of snus, nicotine pouches, cigarettes, vaping, and heated tobacco in Australia as of 2026-06, with official sources where available.

Snus

Banned

Legal basis: Competition and Consumer (Smokeless Tobacco Products) Ban 1991 (formerly Consumer Product Safety Standard); Therapeutic Goods Act 1989

Oral tobacco products including snus, chewing tobacco and oral snuff have been prohibited from supply, sale and advertising in Australia since June 1991. The ban applies nationally and there is no retail or commercial supply.

Official source

Nicotine Pouches

Restricted

Legal basis: Therapeutic Goods Act 1989; Poisons Standard (Schedule 4 — prescription-only)

Tobacco-free nicotine pouches are prescription-only therapeutic goods. They cannot be sold over the counter and may only be supplied or imported with a valid prescription from an Australian-registered health practitioner. Some states (e.g. South Australia) ban them outright. Penalties for unlawful supply reach 5 years imprisonment and fines up to AUD 1.32 million.

Official source

Cigarettes

Legal

Minimum age: 18+

Legal basis: Public Health (Tobacco and Other Products) Act 2023; state/territory tobacco laws

Combustible cigarettes are legal for sale to adults 18 and over, subject to plain packaging, graphic health warnings, high excise and advertising bans. Personal import allowance applies to travellers (duty-free limits).

Official source

Vape / E-cigarettes

Restricted

Minimum age: 18+

Legal basis: Therapeutic Goods and Other Legislation Amendment (Vaping Reforms) Act 2024; Therapeutic Goods Act 1989

Since 1 July 2024 all vapes (nicotine and non-nicotine) may only be sold through pharmacies. From 1 October 2024 adults 18+ can buy vapes up to 20 mg/mL from participating pharmacies after speaking with a pharmacist (no prescription needed where state law allows); higher strengths and under-18s require a prescription. Importation of disposable vapes is banned and general commercial import is prohibited.

Official source

Heated Tobacco (IQOS)

Restricted

Minimum age: 18+

Legal basis: Customs (Prohibited Imports) Regulations 1956, Reg. 5A; Therapeutic Goods Act 1989; state tobacco laws

Heated tobacco products (IQOS) are legal for sale to adults 18+ at tobacconists and are regulated as tobacco products, but commercial importation requires a licence/permission. Personal importation is allowed only within a 30-day supply limit and with prior permission for heat-not-burn devices.

Official source

Personal Import

Snus
Unknown(limit: 1.5kg (grey area))

Supply and sale are banned. Personal physical importation of small amounts has historically been a grey area and may be tolerated up to roughly 1.5kg, but is not explicitly authorised and products may be seized.

Nicotine Pouches
Allowed

Permitted only under the Personal Importation Scheme with a valid Australian prescription.

Sources

Disclaimer: The information on this site is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws and regulations regarding snus, nicotine pouches, cigarettes, vaping and heated tobacco change frequently. Always verify the current legal status with official government sources before travelling. NicotineAtlas assumes no liability for actions taken based on information presented here.