The Ministry of Health reports in Australia that stores in the country’s largest cities are openly selling nicotine vape products in defiance of the government’s new ban. Starting from January 1 this year, the import of disposable vapes was banned nationwide, and retailers were prohibited from selling vapes containing nicotine. Health Secretary Mark Butler branded the reforms “world-leading” and stressed: “If you smoke vapes, your New Year’s resolution is to quit them.” However, Butler’s crackdown appears to have It disappeared into thin air and was ignored by every specialty store and convenience store.
On Sydney’s trendy King Street in Newtown, the Daily Mail found at least 20 independent and chain stores openly selling illegal nicotine vapes, illegal cigarettes and other smoking equipment. In some stores, reporters had a plastic folder showing the dozens of different models and flavors customers could choose from. The flavors include apple, blueberry, watermelon and iced mango, and despite Butler’s ban, they still contain nicotine. Product packaging features bright colors and lively designs that make vapes look more like candy marketed to children than nicotine products. Prices range from $25 to $50, depending on how much inhalation the vape contains.
The process of purchasing these prohibited products is no different than purchasing legal goods. There was no identity check to confirm age, no secret whispers, just a straight credit card transaction in exchange for the contraband. In an interview with the Daily Mail, Brian Marlow, director of Australia’s Assistance to Legalize vapes, said this proved that the government’s efforts to regulate vapes were not effective.
“The interesting thing about this ban is that disposable vapes have never been legal in Australia and have always been banned,” he said.
He also mentioned that in 2021, the Morrison government banned any Australian from purchasing or importing nicotine vapes or vapes without a doctor’s prescription. This brings the import requirements into line with Australia’s ban on the sale of nicotine vapes under state and territory laws.
Yet many retailers and manufacturers try to circumvent this regulation by falsely claiming that their products do not contain nicotine. Under the new ban, retailers have the right to sell nicotine-free stock imported before this year.
Starting from March 1, the import of all non-therapeutic vapes, as well as all personal use vapes, will be banned. To coincide with the changes to import rules, new access mechanisms will be set up to enable doctors and nurses to prescribe therapeutic vapes where appropriate. Mr Marlowe said the bans would only allow retailers to take on increased import and sales risks and charge customers higher prices for vapes.
He also said criminal gangs that import vapes from China and sell them to retailers are also able to increase their profits. “More than 90 per cent of vapes sold in Australia are black market,” he said.
With over a million vapers in Australia, you’re looking at a multi-billion dollar industry that the federal government has no real plans to legalize. “We are the only country in the world facing such a serious problem,” he said.
Mr. Marlowe also said that addictive vapes such as IGET are manufactured in China but are banned there and rarely used by residents. He said: “But here we are keen to use it and have no problem exporting it to Australia. Because we don’t regulate the market correctly, people are willing to break the law and face criminal charges. They are willing to sell to children. We allow criminals to Action.” Market restrictions, product standards, retailer licenses, and hefty fines for selling to minors will help clear the black market, Marlowe said.
Marlowe said Australia should follow the lead of New Zealand, the UK and other parts of the world in dealing with vape regulations. “Premium vapes are allowed to be sold and regulated in the same way as other adult-only products we regulate, such as alcohol,” he said.
“Doing something like this will give adults access to products that are safer than what you might see in illegal Chinese disposables that contain high nicotine levels.”
“It would also crack down on the rampant vape black market created by the government.” However, Simon Chapman, a professor of public health at the University of Sydney, said strict regulations on vapes were needed and objected to calling the reform a “ban” . He told the media: “vapes are not banned, it’s just that they should always be strictly regulated. Anyone who says vapes are banned probably also believes that every prescription drug produced in Australia is also banned.”
The government’s current crackdown is driven by increased access to vapes by minors and new non-smokers starting nicotine vapes. Mr. Butler said in a National Press Club speech in May 2023: “vapes are not an entertainment product, especially not for our children. This is what vapes are now.”
Butler criticized the previous coalition government, saying it created perfect conditions for an illicit market to flourish by not strictly enforcing regulations on the importation of vapes and on smokers seeking legal prescriptions.
The recent failure of Australia’s ban on nicotine vapes has caused a series of problems, including rampant sales of black market products. In this situation, veehoo vapes, as an enterprise advocating legalization and regulation, issued a call for the legalization of nicotine vapes.
According to reports, Australia has long implemented a strict ban on nicotine vapes. However, the lapse of this ban has led to the rise of black market products that may not have undergone rigorous quality and safety checks, posing potential risks to public health.
Veehoo Vapes believes that legalizing nicotine vapes and establishing relevant regulatory mechanisms is the key to solving this problem. They noted that nicotine vapes are already widely used in other countries and recognized as a relatively safe alternative to smoking products. Through legalization and regulation, governments can ensure product quality and safety while providing accurate consumer information and warnings to protect public health.
As a company committed to promoting safe use and compliance management, veehoo vapes have been actively participating in industry self-discipline and regulatory cooperation. In addition, veehoo vapes also actively carry out consumer education activities to provide information on vape usage, potential risks and smoking cessation support.
However, the lapse of Australia’s ban has allowed black market sales of the product to intensify, posing a potential risk to public health. Veehoo vape calls on the government to reconsider the ban and take proactive steps to regulate nicotine vapes and establish a strict regulatory mechanism. Legalization will help eliminate black market products, ensure consumers have access to safe, compliant products, and provide controlled sales channels.
At the same time, veehoo vapes emphasize the importance of consumer education. For vape users, it is crucial to understand proper usage, potential risks and support for quitting. Through legalization and regulation, governments can better provide relevant information and warnings to help consumers make informed choices and reduce reliance on black market products.
In summary, the failure of Australia’s nicotine vape ban has led to rampant black market product sales. As a company that advocates legalization and regulation, Veehoo vapes calls on the government to reconsider the ban and take proactive steps to standardize nicotine vapes. They emphasize the importance of legalization and regulation to ensure product quality and safety, and to provide consumer education and support.
Tags: Australia’s nicotine vape ban lapses，What is the status of vaping in Australia，How popular is vaping in Australia，veehoo vape
