Deakin’s Dr James Martin warns vape crackdown could fuel black market

An expert has warned a vaping ban being pursued by the federal government could feed the thriving black market.

The government is seeking to stamp out vaping, but some believe prohibition will fuel the black market.

A government plan to crack down on vaping could further fuel the black market, an expert has warned.

Under the push, only pharmacists would be able to sell vape products, with other retailers banned from selling any vapes, even if they don’t contain nicotine.

But Dr James Martin, senior lecturer in criminology at Deakin University, said many vapers were already sourcing black market products and the prescription model was already failing.

A Geelong Advertiser investigation earlier this year revealed illegal vapes containing nicotine were easily accessible at shops.

“When there’s demand that strong there will always be supply that will emerge,” Dr Martin said.

Dr Martin said the only thing the government should and could do was have a regulated market.

A situation where people can legally buy cigarettes but not the harm-reduction alternative signified moral panic, Dr Martin said.

A legitimate vape retailer in Geelong, that does not sell nicotine vapes, earlier this year also warned of a black market boom.

Vapes are available in a variety of flavours.

New vaping legislation is yet to pass parliament.

Quit Victoria acting director Craig Sinclair said the organisation supported plans to stop the flood of imported e-cigarette products at the Australian border.

“At present, it is incredibly difficult for Australian border force to determine whether e-cigarette products contain nicotine because labelling is often false,” he said.

“A blanket ban on the import of vaping products, except for those intended as a last-line smoking-cessation tool, would drive down the availability and accessibility.

“No one should be allowed to profit from selling dangerous and addictive products, especially to young people.”

Earlier this month, police raided a milk bar in Corio and seized 4913 vapes, 7300 counterfeit cigarettes, 78,160 individual cigarettes and 24 bongs.

A 42-year-old woman from Bell Post Hill was arrested and charged with offences including selling or supplying a poisons-controlled substance without authorisation.

A Victoria Police spokesman said police, often in collaboration with authorised officers from local councils, were targeting businesses illegally selling vapes.

“However, we have a broader focus on education and prevention,” he said.

Minister for Health and Aged Care Mark Butler. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Martin Ollman

A spokeswoman for the federal Health Minister Mark Butler said vaping was creating a whole new generation of nicotine dependency in our community.

“The Albanese Government is taking strong action to reduce smoking and stamp out vaping … through stronger legislation, enforcement, education and support,” she said.

The spokeswoman said the government would work with states and territories to stamp out the growing black market in illegal vaping, including to stop the import of non-prescription vapes and ban all single-use, disposable vapes.

She said the government would also work with states and territories to close down the sale of vapes in retail settings, while also making it easier to get a prescription for legitimate therapeutic use.

Originally published as Deakin’s Dr James Martin warns vape crackdown could fuel black market