Australia’s health minister says strengthening strict legal measures is necessary to combat the illegal sale of vapes. Recently, they prepared to file a lawsuit against companies that illegally sell vapes.
According to SKY News Australian Health Minister Mark Butler on October 22. The federal government said it was fully prepared to prosecute shops selling vapes in unlicensed pharmacies.
Under the vape reform bill passed earlier this year, businesses that illegally sell vapes face up to seven years in jail and fines of up to $2.2 million. These harsh penalties are comparable to heroin trafficking, which can be fined up to $1 million and sentenced to life imprisonment. Despite the harsh punishment, some convenience stores and tobacco shops continue to sell vapes illegally.
Hunter, the secretary of Valley said at a press conference,
- “We are starting to cut off overseas supplies. Some overseas countries, including China, have reported a sharp drop in the number of vapes being exported to Australia. In my constituency, there used to be seven vape shops, all of which have now closed.”
Butler further confirmed that prosecution will be a corresponding measure to prevent illegal vape sales.
- “The current challenge is that there are still illegal stocks and sales of vapes in convenience stores and tobacco shops. We are working closely with our colleagues in the States to decide to take firm steps to shut down this part of the trade. In the end, this will inevitably involve prosecution.”
The Australian Border Force has stepped up operations in recent months, seizing more than 1,000 illegal vapes across the country. Border Force Commander Ken McKern said in August:
- “Criminal networks see the illicit tobacco market as a low-risk, high-yield product. After a surprise attack, the goods are usually transferred or quickly appear elsewhere.”
New vape laws and regulations come into effect in July 2024. The law restricts the sale of vapes in pharmacies and requires customers and pharmacists to be aware. The federal government recently decided to allow people over the age of 18 to buy vapes without a prescription starting in October. The taste of vapes is controlled in menthol, menthol, or cigarettes, and products with a tobacco tar concentration of more than 20mg/ml require a prescription.
