A Senate committee has recommended passing a bill to ban the manufacture, sale, and advertising of non-prescription vapes. 

The recommendation follows two days of public hearings and the submission of nearly 300 pieces of evidence from various sectors, including health, education, pharmaceutical, and retail.

If enacted, the legislation will restrict the legal acquisition of vapes to prescriptions from general practitioners or nurse practitioners. A vote in the Senate is anticipated in June.

Introduced by Health Minister Mark Butler in March, the bill was referred to the Senate Community Affairs Legislation Committee for inquiry. 

The committee's report, accessible here, made a single recommendation - calling for the legislation's passage. 

The proposed law introduces a regulatory framework for vapes, empowering state and territory officials to enforce the ban and stipulating new offences and penalties for the illegal importation, domestic manufacture, supply, and advertising of vaping products.

Butler has previously stated that individuals with a personal supply will not be targeted.

The legislation is part of broader reforms initiated in January, banning the importation of disposable vapes. 

The committee's report included additional comments from the Greens, the Coalition, and the Nationals. 

The Greens are seeking amendments to prevent the criminalisation of individuals for possession, to ensure adequate support for quitting vaping, and to restrict vape advertising to medical practitioners. 

The Greens clarified that they do not support a total ban on adult vaping, noting that the bill allows vapes to be available via prescription.

Coalition senators acknowledged the majority report's recommendations but have reserved their final stance pending further internal review. 

The Nationals, however, submitted a dissenting report, advocating for the regulation of all vaping products akin to tobacco, allowing licensed retailers to sell vapes under strict regulations - a proposal rejected by all state and territory health ministers.

Major health organisations, including the Australian Medical Association, the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners, and the Pharmacy Guild of Australia, support the bill. 

The Australian Council On Smoking and Health and 58 other health organisations reportedly plan to publish a supportive letter for the bill.

Health Minister Butler has highlighted the severe penalties for non-compliance, including up to seven years in prison and fines up to $2.2 million. 

Butler stressed the government's commitment to eliminating recreational vaping, describing it as a significant public health threat.