Vaping laws: 500,000 vapes seized in nation’s largest bust

A raid on a warehouse has uncovered a massive secret stash of vapes amid a push for proposed new laws.

An alleged organised crime syndicate’s secret stash of 500,000 vapes has been busted in Australia’s largest ever seizure.

Police raided a warehouse in Melbourne following suspicions it was being used to store illegal smokes that have fuelled firebombings across the city.

They found more than half a million vapes in one shipment, equal to the amount that the Australian Border Force has seized since new laws came into force on January 1.

Health Minister Mark Butler used the seizure to push for proposed laws currently before parliament that would ban the sale of vapes to be passed.

Each of these vapes must be taken apart by hand.

Mr Butler said one in six school children were vaping, arguing that the tobacco industry was looking for a new market for nicotine.

“They know that schools are their key target market,” he said on Tuesday.

“The vaping industry in China reports that exports to Australia from that country are down by 93 per cent since we implemented the import ban.”

A Senate inquiry was due to report early next month on the planned changes, which would make it illegal to sell the products.

A ban on the sale of vapes, except at pharmacies with a prescription, was due to be voted on later in May.

Health authorities in each state would be responsible for enforcing the ban, with Mr Butler adding he wanted vape shops shut down.

“But we do know that police will be engaged because of the deep involvement in this market of organised crime,” Mr Butler said.

Mark Butler, right, and Australian Border Force Assistant Commissioner Chris Waters. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Ben Clark

The Therapeutic Goods Administration and the ABF have seized more than 1.5 million vapes since the ban came into force on January 1.

The ABF must take apart each vape individually because it does not have access to a machine that would separate the cardboard packaging, battery and liquid cartridge from the devices.

Senator Anne Ruston. Picture: Dan Peled / NCA NewsWire

Mr Butler rejected suggestions that the ABF needed more than $25 million to detect and dispose of illegal vapes.

But Federal opposition health spokeswoman Anne Ruston said Mr Butler should find the cash to dispose of the vapes.

“We are really concerned that this is another example of the Government making headline announcements without considering the unintended consequences,” she said.

ABF Assistant Commissioner James Watson said vapes were being stopped at the border and at the country of origin.

“We know that this is not an easy job,” he said.

Vape stores have become increasingly common across Australia, with an explosion of outlets in Victoria and New South Wales.

Industry has been resisting regulation of vapes arguing for regulation so they can be used as a quit-smoking aid.

The Australian Medical Association and the Cancer Council have backed the vape reforms.