Loopholes in laws make crackdown on illegal vapes difficult
Australian authorities have seized over 20 million illegal vapes worth $1 billion since January 2024, but researchers warn that loopholes in regulations and creative online marketing continue to make enforcement difficult.Summary
Since Australia's vaping reforms took effect in January 2024, law enforcement agencies have seized over 20 million illegal vaping products with a street value of just over $1 billion. The Australian Border Force (ABF) confiscated 19.4 million products worth $974 million, while the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) removed 2.2 million unlawful products worth $110.5 million. The TGA reported a 300-fold increase in online advertising removal requests, taking down 8,706 ads in 2024-25 compared to just 29 the previous year. Researchers, including Becky Freeman and Wayne Hall, acknowledge the seizures are encouraging but highlight significant challenges. Professor Freeman noted that while advertising bans have been effective, loopholes remain, particularly regarding social media platforms like Meta that allow international tobacco companies to post content without paid advertising. Professor Hall observed that online marketers are becoming increasingly creative, using code words to bypass restrictions. Both experts argue that Australia's prescription-only system is not working effectively due to limited doctor willingness to prescribe and pharmacy reluctance to stock the products. They advocate for a regulated legal market similar to New Zealand and the United Kingdom to better control product types and enforce age restrictions.
(Source：Australian Broadcasting Corporation)
