The Australian Border Force has seized more than $11 million worth of nicotine vapes in recent weeks as the federal government tries to stamp out vaping among teens.
The shipments were brought into the country using both air freight and international postal services and discovered as part of a joint operation between the ABF and the Therapeutic Goods Administration.
Campaign Obelia officers detected the fumes in New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland and Western Australia. Of the 35 tonnes seized, around 92 percent, equivalent to 376,000 vapes, had false labels falsely stating they were nicotine-free.
The shipments entered the country in plain sight, using both air freight and international postal services.
Vapes containing nicotine must be imported according to TGA regulations and can only be used with a prescription.
At least 68 percent of the vapes seized were disposable devices, the majority of which were brands previously identified as containing products that violate minimum safety and quality standards for nicotine vaping.
Health Minister Mark Butler stated that the large quantity of suspected illegal vaping products seized in this operation illustrates the difficulties faced in tackling this problem.
“Vaping is a public health threat targeting young Australians. The reforms introduced by the Albanian government will be critical to reducing vaping rates in Australia and the harm this brings,” he said.
“Vaping was never intended to be a recreational product.
‘It was always marketed as a therapeutic product for die-hard smokers, not as a recreational product that would get our children hooked on nicotine.
“Instead, we’re seeing these things being sold directly through the community to young people.”
The Australian Border Force has seized more than $11 million worth of nicotine vapor in recent weeks as the federal government tries to stamp out vaping.
He continued, “We’re hearing stories now, as 12-year-olds take exams, that 12-year-olds have to put on nicotine patches to be able to pass an exam without taking a vape.
“This is simply not acceptable to governments across the country and we are determined to eradicate it.”
The federal government announced $234 million in funding in May for stricter regulations, including stricter import and packaging controls.
The measures include a ban on the import of non-prescription vapes for shops and single-use products.
Recent research shows that around 1.6 million Australians now vape, representing 7.9 percent of people over the age of 18.
Since December, another 308,000 people have taken up vaping, marking a 23 percent increase, according to a Roy Morgan poll.
Health Minister Mark Butler (pictured right) says many young Australians are becoming addicted to vaping
Additionally, a Cancer Council survey found that 90 percent of teens find it easy to buy illegal e-cigarettes.
The same study, called Generation Vape, found that more than two-thirds of 14- to 17-year-olds have knowingly used vapes containing nicotine.
The illegal import or supply of counterfeit or unapproved therapeutic goods may result in a maximum penalty of five years in prison and/or a fine of up to $1.25 million.