Albanese government brazenly shows off massive haul of seized vapes – as young Aussies are recruited to fight war on illegal e-cigarettes
The Albanian government will team up with teen influencers in an anti-vaping campaign in a bid to deter young people from using the illegal devices.
Federal Health Minister Mark Butler announced the initiative while standing among towering stacks of vape pens intercepted at the Australian border.
Mr Butler said 360,000 vapes worth almost $11 million have been seized since the nationwide ban on single-use disposable vapes was introduced on January 1.
The Health Minister was joined at Wednesday’s press conference by junior professional surfers Zahlia and Shyla Short from Wollongong, south of Sydney.
The sisters have been tasked with combating the “huge amount” of misinformation about vaping by sharing the associated risks on their social media platforms.
“It’s pretty clear that teenagers don’t watch TV or listen to the health ministers, as much as I would like them to,” Butler said at the news conference.
‘That’s why we work with influencers that young people listen to. From comedians to sports stars and gamers, and everyone in between.”
Mark Butler was joined at a press conference on Wednesday by junior professional surfers Zahlia (centre) and Shyla Short from Wollongong on the New Zealand coast.
The Short sisters (pictured) will participate in this year’s Youth Vaping Education Program
The influencers hand-picked for the Youth Vaping Education Program are popular with young Aussies aged 14 to 20 across a wide range of online platforms.
Tasked with furthering the government’s anti-vape agenda are gamers Jack Buzza and HeyImZed, TikToker Ella Watkins and comedy duo Lachlan and Jaxon Fairbairn.
“We know that many of our colleagues vape, so it’s important to us that we support a campaign that will educate people about the harms of vaping and help them seek support if they wish,” Lachlan said of his role in the initiative.
Several athletes are also involved, including sportswoman and cricket legend Ellyse Perry and Australian Olympic diver Sam Fricker.
Entrepreneur and sustainability advocate Lottie Dalziel will also participate.
The new government campaign is part of a major crackdown on the import and sale of single-use disposable vape pens across Australia.
Comedy duo Lachlan and Jaxon Fairbairn will take part in the anti-vape government initiative
The government is working with a range of influencers popular with 14- to 20-year-olds
Zahlia Short said she witnessed her friends regularly being tempted to vape
Mr Butler on Wednesday announced the next phase of Australia’s “world-leading” vape reforms, which will come into effect from March 1, 2024.
The import of all unlicensed vapes will be banned and personal vape import programs will be closed.
The government will also work to strengthen quality and safety standards for therapeutic vapors, which are now available only by prescription.
“There is a tremendous amount of misinformation and online advertising designed to lure teens into vaping,” Butler told the conference.
“Together with the Albanian government’s world-leading vaping reforms, education is an important step to prevent big tobacco companies from seducing a new generation into nicotine addiction.”
Mr Butler on Wednesday announced the next phase of Australia’s “world-leading” vape reforms, which will come into effect from March 1, 2024.
Selling nicotine vapes has been illegal since 2021 under laws introduced by the previous Morrison government, but many retailers have continued to blatantly sell them illegally, with some incorrectly labeling them as nicotine-free.
In an effort to close loopholes in previous legislation and tackle the supply of vapes in convenience stores, Mr Butler introduced a nationwide ban on the import of disposable vapes on January 1.
To coincide with the changes to import regulations, a new access program has been set up to allow doctors and nurses to prescribe therapeutic vapors to help quit smoking or manage nicotine addiction.
“If the legislation is passed by Parliament later this year, the only legal way to purchase vapes therapeutically will be through a pharmacy,” Butler said in January.