Black market tobacco, vapes require tougher action amid social media gloating

Black market importers are bragging about bringing e-cigarettes – also known as vapes – into Australia after the nation’s Border Force refused to seize $300m of illegal tobacco on a rogue container ship.

Fears that gangland wars will erupt over the black market tobacco and e-cigarette trade have led to calls for tougher action to be taken, as importers of illicit products defy Australian law by spruiking their black market stock while gloating about the ease of bypassing Australia’s border controls while doing it.

Online profiles - which appear to be from China - on websites including Facebook are bragging about actively bringing e-cigarettes – also known as vapes – into the country, while advertising their wares.

One page stated in a post earlier this year: “The reason why we dare to trade with Australian customers: Our transportation team has the ability to pass the Australian customs scanner”.

“Now in the Australian market, vape arrived in Australia today, sold by Australians today, and then out of stock again,” another post in broken English read, adding products were sent to Perth, Sydney and Melbourne.

Images of a social media post bragging about getting illicit vapes through the border.

The role of border security in cracking down on the illicit vape and tobacco trade was thrown into the spotlight again this week with revelations a ship carrying more than two tonnes of illegal tobacco was intercepted by NSW Police but allowed to sail free.

The ship, which was first intercepted off of Newcastle, was allowed to leave with its cargo after the Australian Border Force told officers they could not seize the cargo or bring the vessel into port.

The ship was monitored until it left Australian waters, with Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke praising the handling of the situation on Monday.

“This successful operation sends a clear message to anyone trying to import illicit substances into Australia: you will be sent on your way before you even get a chance to start,” he said.

It came as Coalition MPs said not enough was being done to tackle the problem, citing the social media pages advertising their continued importation.

It can now be revealed that a disturbing trend has emerged on Chinese social media platforms.

Images posted on social media also show cigarettes bound for Australia being packed.

“It’s totally unsurprising the Albanese government’s half-hearted and underfunded so-called crackdown in vaping is being openly defied by criminal smugglers,” Coalition Home Affairs spokesman James Paterson said.

“If we don’t act decisively the gangland war to control this lucrative market playing out in our suburbs will get even worse.”

Shadow health spokeswoman Anne Ruston said the Coalition had pledged a $250 million package law enforcement package to tackle the issue, saying it is “extremely concerning that black market vape distributors would be marketing themselves on how easily they are able to trade in Australia”.

Health Minister Mark Butler said he had written to Meta, Facebook’s owner, to ensure they are complying with Australian law, which prohibits public advertising of vapes.

Illicit tobacco and vaping products promoted on Chinese social media

Mr Butler added the Therapeutic Goods Administration “will investigate these pages immediately”.

“These pages are flouting the law and the Government is not going to stand by and let this happen,” he said.

An Australian Border Force (ABF) spokeswoman said more than 2.9m vaping goods had been seized since January 1 this year.

“We continue to intercept large consignments via both the sea and air cargo streams, as well as importations through the mail,” she said.

“The ABF is very adept at targeting and detecting illegal imports attempting to avoid detection.”