NSW Health put end to ‘vape squads’ for teens’ safety

A team of pint-sized, undercover operatives fighting the war on the sale of vapes and cigarettes to minors has been disbanded after serious threats to their safety.

A team of pint-sized, undercover operatives fighting the war on the sale of vapes and cigarettes to minors has been disbanded after serious threats to their safety.

NSW Health has been forced to shelve the team of underage teenagers, who worked alongside investigators to catch vape stores and tobacconists selling products to teens under 18, amid safety concerns.

Illegal tobacco and vapes have gone from a minor irritant to a major part of the organised crime gangs’ arsenal.

A tobacco war in Melbourne has seen more than 40 shops firebombed.

While Sydney has not seen anything like that level of violence, the enormous profits available to criminals mean anything threatening that revenue stream now carries a much higher risk.

NSW Health has been forced to shelve the team of underage teenagers helping to catch vape stores and tobacconists selling products to under-18s. Picture: AFP

NSW Health sources, speaking to The Sunday Telegraph, revealed the use of minors to catch out dodgy vape and ­tobacco shops had been ­“suspended due to threats made to the teens involved in the program”.

“There aren’t any undercover teens working for the program following safety concerns,” the source said. “The program has been modified across Sydney to exclude the use of teens, despite their previous success.”

More than 3000 retail inspections were conducted by NSW Health last year, with more than 431,000 nicotine vapes and e-liquids seized. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

The department’s Sales to Minors Program involved the team of undercover teens visiting tobacconists and vape stores across Sydney, where they would try to illegally purchase cigarettes and vapes.

If successful, NSW Health officials swarmed in.

Just last year more than 3000 retail inspections were conducted by NSW Health, with more than 431,000 nicotine vapes and e-liquids – with an estimated street value of over $13.7 million – seized.

Meanwhile, more than 4.8 million cigarettes and 1700kg of other illegal tobacco products, with an estimated street value of over $5.8 million were uncovered. A NSW Health spokeswoman said the government had a strong compliance and enforcement program.

“All local health districts in NSW are authorised to undertake a range of local tobacco and e-cigarette enforcement activities, which may include compliance activities in relation to sales to minors,” she said. “Local health districts can adjust enforcement activities in line with emerging public health priorities.”

The compliance program, including minors, has been in operation since 1996.

The maximum penalty for selling tobacco or vapes to minors can reach $55,000 for individuals, while fines can reach $110,000 for repeated offences by businesses.

NSW Health did not respond to questions relating to safety threats against minors in the program when asked.

From March 1, the importation of all reusable vapes were banned unless for supply in pharmacy settings – meaning that tobacconists, vape shops, service stations and convenience stores are no longer able to sell the products.

However, demand has, if anything, increased.

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