A two-day joint enforcement operation between the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) and Queensland Health has led to the seizure of more than 10,000 nicotine pouches and hundreds of illicit vaping goods.
As part of that operation, the TGA executed warrants, with the support of Queensland Health and the Queensland Police Services (QPS), on three retail tobacconists suspected of unlawfully possessing vapes in Bundaberg. TGA and Queensland Health Offices also inspected six retailers in the Wide Bay region.
The Minister for Health and Aged Care, the Hon Mark Butler MP, said "These joint enforcement activities between the TGA and Queensland Health demonstrate the strong approach being taken to enforce the new vaping laws.
"This is a positive example of the joint commitment that the Commonwealth and states and territories have made to detect and disrupt the illegal supply of vapes," the Minister said.
These most recently seized vapes are alleged to contravene the new commercial possession laws that commenced from 1 July 2024, under the Therapeutic Goods and Other Legislation Amendment (Vaping Reforms) Act 2024.
It is now illegal for Australian retailers such as tobacconists, vape shops and convenience stores to supply any vapes, even with a prescription. Any possession of vapes in retail premises is generally also illegal. In addition to seizure and loss of product, significant penalties can apply to the unlawful importation, manufacture, supply, commercial possession and advertising of vaping goods.
These seizures add to the large number of seizures already undertaken by the Australian Border Force and TGA, of over 3.5 million vaping goods, estimated to be worth nearly $107 million, since 1 January 2024.
Under the Therapeutic Goods and Other Legislation Amendment (Vaping Reforms) Act 2024, the maximum criminal penalties per contravention are seven years in jail and/or 5,000 penalty units (equivalent to $1.565 million for an individual and $7.825 million for a corporation).
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