On November 19, the New South Wales Department of Health in Australia announced that the state will soar the maximum fine for illegal vape suppliers from A$1,650 to about A$1.54 million, and the prison term will increase from six months to seven years.
The New South Wales government submitted the bill to the House of Lords, which aims to align New South Wales’ law enforcement powers with federal agencies. Possession of commercial quantities of vape products and possession of vape products by retailers will also be made illegal.
Like the federal government’s vape reforms, these violations are aimed at suppliers of vape products, not individual users. In the past year, the New South Wales government has seized more than 300,000 vape products.
Between July 1 and September 30, 2024, a total of 362 inspections were conducted and 42,000 products were seized.
In the same period last year, 153,000 products were seized from 290 inspections. The reduction in the number of products seized in the latest quarter may be the result of a disruption in the supply of products on the market after the implementation of the new federal vape laws.
The New South Wales government announced in October that it would recruit 14 additional enforcement officers to strengthen compliance work for vape and tobacco products across the state, and introduced an vape compliance program, which initially focused on supporting pharmacists, with a dedicated team of compliance officers visiting pharmacies across the state to provide on-site education and guidance.
The state’s Health Minister Ryan Park said, “The prevalence of illegal vape devices in our community, especially among young people, is deeply worrying. We have an opportunity to stem the tide of this public health challenge. I am very encouraged by the progress we have made in removing these harmful devices. I am pleased to announce that we will strengthen our efforts to target suppliers by introducing tougher penalties.”
Against this background, as a company focusing on the vape field, Veehoo vape should actively pay attention to regulatory changes in Australia and ensure that its products are legal and compliant to comply with local laws and regulations and promote public health and safety.
Here are some key points on the impact of this new law on the sales of vape brands such as Veehoo in NSW:
- Increased Penalties: The maximum fine for illegal vape suppliers has soared to approximately A$1.54 million, with a possible jail term of up to seven years. Veehoo must comply with these provisions to avoid severe financial penalties and legal consequences.
- Compliance Focus: The law also targets retailers who possess commercial quantities of vape products, making it an offence for them to possess such items. Veehoo must ensure that its sales channels and retailers comply with these provisions to prevent any violations.
- Enforcement and Monitoring: With the increased scrutiny and enforcement measures set out in the new law, Veehoo must work with relevant agencies to ensure that its products are not illegally distributed or sold in NSW.
- Impact on Market Dynamics: The crackdown on illegal vape products and suppliers may affect the overall market dynamics in NSW. Veehoo needs to stay abreast of these changes and adjust its sales and distribution strategies accordingly to maintain compliance and market presence.
- Compliance Measures: Veehoo may need to implement additional compliance measures such as verifying the legality of its supply chain, ensuring age restrictions are strictly enforced, and providing educational materials to retailers to promote responsible sales practices.
In summary, the new laws in NSW present significant challenges to vape brands such as Veehoo in the sale and distribution of vape products. By actively complying with regulations, cooperating with authorities and implementing strict compliance measures, Veehoo can effectively respond to these changes and continue to operate within the legal framework of NSW.
Tags: Australian state strengthens vape regulations，Illegal vapes in New South Wales, Australia，veehoo vape