Melbourne kid’s shop caught allegedly selling vapes amongst toys

The store has been accused of using a “loophole” to sell tobacco products.

The toy shop is accused of selling tobacco products. Source: jacquifelgate/Instagram

A store in the Melbourne suburb has been spotted selling tobacco products amongst the children’s toys and shoes. 

The ToyLand store in Moonee Ponds sells children-specific products, including games, activities, toys, and collectables. 

Items listed on its website include Disney, Winnie the Pooh and Betty Boop figurines, Ben 10 toys, and children’s shoes.

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The toy shop is accused of selling tobacco products. Source: jacquifelgate/Instagram

Melbourne toy shop selling tobacco products

There is no mention of tobacco items listed on the company’s website.

However, a large neon sign underneath the business name on the shop front reads, “We sell tobacco.” 

Another tobacco and gift store located in Brighton was spotted and shared by 3AW’s Jacquie Felgate. “Vape stores popping up all over Melbourne selling lollies and toys,” she said. 

The Brighton storefront shows shelves filled with American lollies, colourful knick-knacks and bottles of Prime Hydration. 

American candy, gifts, cigars, cigarettes and vapes are advertised on the window.

“It’s a loophole that allows traders to sell vapes alongside toys and products targeted to kids,” she said in a follow-up post. “The vapes often contain nicotine which is illegal.”  

RELATED: Crackdown on vapes after state records 50 children under four ingesting nicotine

The tobacco industry is “creating a new generation of nicotine addicts”. Source: iStock

Tobacco industry is “creating a new generation of nicotine addicts”

It is illegal for businesses other than pharmacies to sell liquid vapes or e-cigarettes containing nicotine in Victoria.

Retailers do not require a license to sell tobacco in Victoria. However, a manager must ensure they do not sell tobacco products to patrons under 18. 

Retailers caught selling tobacco to underage patrons may face a fine of up to $9,514. 

In March, Health Minister Mark Butler said 50 children under the age of four in Victoria had ingested nicotine from vapes in the last year. 

“The Victorian poisons hotline has reported that in the last 12 months, more than 50 children under the age of four have had to be reported to the hotline because of the dangerous ingestion of nicotine,” he told ABC Radio. 

“Four. This is now the biggest behavioural issue in primary schools. This is an industry shamelessly marketing, not just to teenagers but to young children. When you look at these things, pink unicorns and bubblegum flavours aren’t marketed to adults.

“This is an industry that is trying to create a new generation of nicotine addicts so they get around all of the hard work our country and other countries have done over recent decades to stamp out smoking.”

Kidspot has reached out to ToyLand Moonee Ponds for comment.

Originally published as Melbourne kid’s shop caught allegedly selling vapes amongst toys