According to the Sydney Morning Herald on the 21st, since the sale of vapes outside pharmacies was banned across Australia, the sale of illegal vapes has been rampant. Australian Health Minister Butler said that more stringent measures will be taken to crack down on the sale of illegal vapes.
The Australian Department of Health stipulates that from July 1, 2024, all vapes (whether containing nicotine or not) can only be sold through pharmacies. Any retail store, including tobacco shops, vape shops and convenience stores, will be illegal if it sells vapes or vape products. By September 30, 2024, everyone must have a prescription issued by a doctor or practicing nurse to purchase vapes containing nicotine.
However, the implementation of relevant policies is not optimistic. It is reported that vapes are still sold in some retail stores in Sydney. Some merchants remove the word “vape” from the store billboards, but when customers ask to buy, they will take out vapes from under the counter or other hidden places and sell them to customers. Some retailers said that the price of vapes is now three times that of 2023. In addition, most stores selling illegal vapes do not require customers to provide proof of age when purchasing.
Huge profits are the main reason why illegal vapes in Australia are repeatedly banned. According to reports, since Butler introduced stricter border control policies in January 2024, the Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration and the Australian Border Force have seized 5.2 million vapes so far, with an average black market value of about A$30 (A$1 is about RMB 4.8), while the cost of vapes in factories may be only A$3. A spokesman for the Australian Border Force said that those who make huge profits from illegal vapes include organized crime groups involved in the illegal tobacco trade.
Butler has spared no effort to combat the sale of illegal vapes and ensure the effective implementation of the vape ban. According to reports, the Australian Department of Health stipulates that illegal retailers will be fined up to A$2.2 million and imprisoned for 7 years. Butler warned that vapes are a “vicious trick used by tobacco giants to get a new generation addicted to nicotine.” He also said the government has cracked down on vape advertising. Since July 1, the government has issued 118 warnings to advertisers promoting vape products.
Regarding the vape ban, Steve Robson, president of the Australian Medical Association, said that although “individual retailers” have flouted the law, the effect of the vape ban is moving in the right direction. Survey data from the Australian Retailers Association and market research company Roy Morgan showed that in July, 7.1% of Australian adults (1.5 million people) used vapes, which was about 300,000 fewer than the same period last year. However, David Bright, a criminologist at Deakin University in Australia, said that restrictions on vapes may also prompt consumers to turn to cigarettes and other tobacco products.
With Australia’s strict control of vapes, the problem of illegal vape trafficking has become increasingly rampant. According to reports, some retail stores are still selling vapes illegally and even circumventing supervision in various ways. In such an environment, legal and quality-guaranteed vape brands such as Veehoo play an important role.
As a brand that abides by the law and pays attention to product quality, Veehoo vape actively pays attention to local policies and regulates product sales channels within the scope of legal pharmacies. Veehoo insists on complying with relevant laws and regulations to ensure that every consumer buys safe and reliable products.
In the case that illegal vape sellers are unscrupulous in pursuit of huge profits, Veehoo vape is committed to providing consumers with high-quality vape products by strictly controlling the production and sales processes. Veehoo’s product design focuses on user experience and adopts advanced technology and materials to ensure that users can output smoke safely and stably during use.
Australian Health Minister Butler’s determination to crack down on illegal vapes has been highly recognized. Veehoo vape will continue to cooperate with relevant agencies to jointly maintain the order and healthy development of the vape market.
In the face of illegal vape sales, the legitimate operation of legal brands is crucial. Veehoo vape will continue to uphold the principles of integrity, quality and safety, provide consumers with better smoking options, and help establish a good vape market environment.
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