The president of the Australian Medical Association is digging his heels in over e-cigarettes despite other nations welcoming the alternative.

In Australia, if you want to buy nicotine vape-liquid, you need a prescription and a specialist chemist.

The consequences of buying the liquid without a prescription can result in hefty fines and potential jail time.

AMA President Tony Bartone tells Ben Fordham, “until it’s proven safe and until it’s proven effective” vaping won’t be legalised.

But Ben isn’t coping it, pointing out that countries all over the world are embracing and legalising the practise as a safer alternative.

Dr Bartone is maintaining his hard-line stance despite his predecessor Dr Michael Gannon even admitting he’s “interested in the potential benefits” of e-cigarettes.

Ben isn’t letting up, playing the AMA’s new president calls from Sydney Live listeners who say vaping has changed their lives.

“You heard those people,” Ben says.

“Why don’t we get on the front foot and say, you know what, we need to have a proper look at this?”

Click PLAY below to hear the exchange unfold