The Albanese Government has committed an additional $107 million for the regulation and enforcement of Australia's world-leading new laws on vaping products.
The Department of Health and Aged Care and the Therapeutic Good Administration (TGA) will use this funding to continue its work to crack down on non-therapeutic vapes, regulate vaping goods as therapeutic goods, and enforce the ban on advertising of vaping goods.
This investment will also support data collection and monitoring to inform a comprehensive evidence base to reduce and prevent vaping and smoking in Australia.
It will significantly extend capability to evaluate the impact of the vaping reforms, following the commencement of the Therapeutic Goods and Other Legislation Amendment (Vaping Reforms) Act 2024 on 1 July 2024.
Already, the Government's crackdown on vaping has resulted in:
- Over 7 million vaping products seized by the TGA and the Australian Border Force
- over 8,500 vaping posts and profiles have been removed from social media
- the TGA has partnered with state and territory authorities on 24 joint enforcement operations
- over 47 active investigations underway
- over 220 infringement notices have been issued
- over $2 million in fines have been issued
- civil and criminal court action has and is occurring across the country
The government's vaping reforms prohibit the importation of all vapes without a licence and permit. Vapes can now only be legally obtained from pharmacists, and people under 18 years old must have a doctor's prescription, subject to state and territory legislation.
The maximum penalties for breaches of the new laws include up to seven years in jail per offence and up to $21.9 million per contravention.
The TGA encourages people to report any perceived breach or questionable practice relating to the importation, manufacture, supply, commercial possession and advertising of vapes, including the supply of vapes by a non-pharmacy retailer.
Quotes attributable to Minister Butler:
"The government is committed to successfully implementing its world-leading vaping reforms, to reduce the public health menace that is recreational vaping.
"Vape shops around the country are closing and importantly, young Australians are finding it harder to purchase vapes.
"Our Government's additional funding for compliance and enforcement, across critical functions, will disrupt and deter the black market and ensure the TGA is appropriately placed to regulate therapeutic vapes.
"Many of these products are targeted at young children and adolescents who have never used nicotine products, which is why our government is so focused on stamping them out."
