Australia faces an expanding illicit vaporizer sector following a crackdown.
As more and more people attempt to smuggle vapes worth millions of dollars into Australia, the Border Force is fighting a burgeoning black market for the devices.
This comes as moms in New Zealand begged the government on Wednesday to outlaw the sale of e-cigarettes in establishments like dairies.
Australia’s border force found 2.5 tonnes of illicit e-cigarettes stashed inside clothes bundles; these devices are valued at over half a million dollars.
According to Australian Border Force spokesperson Asha Patwardhan, “They will try to circumvent our border controls, and their attempts to be sneaky haven’t been successful.”
Australia banned the importation of single-use vape pens in January. $11.3 million worth of single-use vapes were seized in just the first two months.
We will be keeping an eye on you if you decide to import vapes into Australia, she cautioned.
This year, the government of New Zealand also plans to outlaw disposable vape pens and tighten regulations and penalties for retailers.
Vape Free Kids NZ, a campaign group, wants it to go farther. On Wednesday, it submitted a petition to a parliamentary select committee advocating for the prohibition of vaping products from being sold in establishments other than vape shops, like dairies.
Politicians were encouraged by co-founder Charyl Robinson to consider the effects on New Zealand children.
Consider whether you really truly believe in your hearts that your policies put those children above the commercially driven industries that want access to them, she continued.
Anna Stewart, a co-founder, pleaded with them to stop selling vapes.
Now is the moment to act morally. Before it’s too late, remember my son and your own kids and daughters, and protect them she uttered.
Despite retailers’ claims to the contrary, the Asthma and Respiratory Foundation applauds the impending ban and does not think it will lead to their being smuggled across the border. Because of the age limits, it even claimed that there is already a black market for vapes in New Zealand schools.
According to Newshub, the Ministry of Health will take the dangers into account.
Timeframes and the implementation of New Zealand’s prohibition on disposable vapes are still pending. We will think about the hazards (including the possibility of a black market) and how they might be minimised as we figure out the specifics, a representative stated.
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