A Liberal backbencher has called for a rethink of Australia's ban on nicotine e-cigarettes, arguing the devices could spell the end of harmful cigarette smoking.
James Paterson said some of the reasons cited by health groups for maintaining the ban were puzzling and strange.
He hopes the government will facilitate rather than block moves to legalise what advocates say is a healthier alternative to smoking, describing the government's current position on the devices as "sceptical".
"We could in our lifetime see the end of conventional cigarette smoking and tobacco smoking and it could be replaced by a much safer alternative," he told parliament.
"We have to look at very seriously whether or not we should legislate these products."
The Senate is debating the government's legislation to hike tobacco prices on Wednesday - a move Labor supports.
Senator Paterson said the tax was regressive and would disproportionately hit poor people, calling for a rethink of the ban on nicotine used in e-cigarettes.
The medicines regulator has been asked to exempt nicotine from the Schedule 7 dangerous poisons list, at concentrations of 3.6 per cent or less, to try to reduce the harm caused by tobacco.
Dozens of academics and researchers have written to the Therapeutic Goods Administration in support of the application, calling for the ban to be lifted - including a top Cancer Council researcher.
Ron Borland argued the current laws were difficult to defend - a position at odds with the Cancer Council which is vehemently opposed to e-cigarettes.
He's told AAP opponents of e-cigarettes are over-interpreting dubious information and that most evidence against the devices was "dodgy".
Senator Paterson said reasons cited by the Cancer Council for maintaining the ban were "puzzling" with the cancer authority arguing it could allow tobacco companies to continue making profits.
"I think actually it would be a good thing if cigarette companies got rid of their old products and moved to new products that are healthier and safer," he said.
He ridiculed Quit Victoria's "strange" calls for smoke-free laws to be extended to e-cigarettes.
"That's an interesting one given what is emitted from an e-cigarette is water vapour."
Liberal colleague Linda Reynolds backed his call, saying e-cigarettes were no doubt a healthier option.
Opponents say big tobacco will use the devices as another opportunity to get people hooked and renormalise smoking.
They say e-cigarettes are not harmless and could act as a gateway to smoking for young people or a crutch preventing smokers from quitting altogether.
Tobacco giant Philip Morris sells e-cigarettes, while e-cigarette company Nicoventures is owned by British American Tobacco.
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission is taking Federal Court action against several e-cigarette suppliers for allegedly making false or misleading claims that its products are free from toxic chemicals found in regular cigarettes.
