In recent weeks, the Australian Border Force has seized vapes worth over $11 million in nicotine, part of an effort by the federal government to stop teen vaping.
As part of a coordinated effort by the Therapeutic Goods Administration and the ABF, the shipments were found to be entering the nation through both air cargo and international postal services.
Officers from Campaign Obelia found the vapes in Western Australia, Queensland, New South Wales, and Victoria. Roughly 92%, or 376,000 vapes, of the 35 tonnes that were confiscated contained fake labels that claimed the products were nicotine-free.
Nicotine-containing vapes can only be used with a prescription and must be imported in accordance with TGA standards.
Among the confiscated vapes, disposable devices accounted for at least 68%. Most of these devices were from brands that had previously been found to have items that did not meet the minimal safety and quality standards for nicotine vaping products.
According to Health Minister Mark Butler, the sheer number of allegedly illicit vaping items seized during this investigation highlights the challenges in resolving this issue.
Young Australians are the target of the public health threat posed by vaping. The Albanese Government’s proposed measures will play a critical role in reducing Australia’s vaping rates and the associated health risks.
We currently hear reports about Year 12 students needing to apply nicotine patches during examinations in order to pass without vaping.
Governments all around the nation find this intolerable, and we’re committed to putting an end to it.
In May, the federal government said that $234 million would be allocated for more stringent regulations, which would include tighter import and packaging laws.
One of the steps will be to prohibit the importation of single-use items and non-prescription vapes for usage in retail settings.
According to recent data, 1.6 million Australians, or 7.9 percent of those over the age of 18, vape currently.
According to a Roy Morgan poll, 308,000 more people have started vaping since December, a 23 percent rise.
Furthermore, according to a Cancer Council survey, ninety percent of teens say it’s simple to buy illicit e-cigarettes.
More than two-thirds of teenagers between the ages of 14 and 17 who participated in the Generation Vape study admitted to using vapes that contained nicotine.
The illicit importation or distribution of fake or unlicensed medicinal products carries a possible five-year prison sentence and/or a fine of up to $1.25 million.
If any of the issues discussed in this article are causing problems for you, please contact us, and we will try our best to help with your situation.