Tobacco tax hiked to snuff out vaping and smoking

Tobacco tax will be jacked up to bring in an extra $3.3 billion over the next four years as the federal government rolls out measures to crack down on smoking and vaping.

Recreational vaping will be banned as the government seeks to prevent the next generation of nicotine addicts.

Health Minister Mark Butler announced at the National Press Club the tobacco tax would be raised by five per cent a year over the next three years, starting from September.

This follows a $234 million boost in the upcoming budget for tougher regulation of e-cigarettes, including new controls on their importation and packaging.

The government will work with the states and territories to shut down the sale of vapes in retail and convenience stores and make it easier to get a prescription for therapeutic use.

To tackle the growing black market, the government will increase the product standards for vapes, including by restricting flavours and colours.

It will require pharmaceutical-like packaging, a reduction in the allowed nicotine concentrations and volumes and a ban on single-use vapes.

Mr Butler revealed the scale of the public health issue, with children under the age of four reported to Victoria's poisons hotline after they used a vape.

"This is a product targeted at our kids, sold alongside lollies and chocolate bars," he said.

"Vaping has become the number one behavioural issue in high schools, and it's becoming widespread in primary schools. This must end."

Mr Butler said the hard-won gains in public health relating to the reduction in smoking could be undone by a "new threat". 

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton said the coalition would support measures to reduce vaping rates.

"There is a significant problem in our country, it needs to be addressed," he said in Sydney.

"I don't want to see vaping as a gateway into smoking and I want to see us prioritise the health particularly of young people, so we will support sensible measures, but we haven't seen anything yet from the government by way of detail."

Australian Medical Association president Steve Robson also backed the move. 

"We know the new young generation of Australians are being hooked on vapes and this is a great initiative," he said.

Alcohol and Drug Foundation chief executive Dr Erin Lalor said most people vaping in Australia were using unregulated products, with no idea what was in them.

"Some people who vape, including young people, may be unknowingly consuming nicotine and have formed a dependence," she said.

A $63 million public health campaign will be launched to discourage Australians from taking up vaping and to encourage them to quit.

Support programs helping Australians quit the habit will be bolstered by a $30 million investment, with education in smoking and nicotine cessation among health practitioners to be strengthened.

The government will commit a further $140 million for a program helping Indigenous people stop smoking, which will be expanded to include vaping.

Nationals senator Ross Cadell said the government should admit prohibition had led to a booming black market in vapes.

"Regulation and control is the answer. Labor's announcement is the wrong diagnosis for a serious illness," the NSW senator said.