Dodgy traders flouting new laws restricting the sale of vapes

Dodgy Queensland tobacco and convenience traders are ignoring new legislation that has banned the sale of vapes outside of pharmacies.

Dodgy vaping operators across Brisbane are flouting tough new laws that could see jail time and millions of dollars in fines for businesses found in breach.

Australia has become the first country to crack down on the sale of vapes outside of pharmacies and from July 1, businesses and people selling vapes are at risk of up to seven years in jail and up to $2.2m in fines.

Corporations can be made to pay up to $21.91m per contravention.

New criminal offences and civil penalty provisions will apply under the Therapeutic Goods Act 1989 relating to the importation, domestic manufacture, supply, commercial possession and advertisement of vaping goods, including vaping devices, other than in circumstances or by persons specified in exceptions.

A personal amount has been set at nine vapes, of any type, and there will be an eight-month amnesty period for personal possession.

Consumers will only be able to legally buy nicotine vapes with a prescription from pharmacies, but from October 1, pharmacies can sell vapes containing nicotine to anyone over 18 years old.

Users under 18 will need a prescription from their doctor.

This comes as in June, the Courier Mail reported 12 suspect vaping stores open in the state every month.

Vape stores are not all abiding by new regulations that started July 1.

Despite it now being illegal to obtain vapes without a prescription, stores across Brisbane continue to sell the nicotine vapes to consumers.

The Courier Mail visited multiple tobacconists in Brisbanes inner city and west and purchased vapes from each merchant without question or ID.

A Bowen Hills tobacconist had multiple vapes available for sale.

The TGA laws have also restricted flavours to mint, menthol and tobacco and the vapes will have plain packaging.

A West End tobacconist had a placard of brands with different prices, with customers paying cash charged five to $10 less than card.

Watermelon flavoured vape were available for sale, with puchasers prompted to conceal the vape in “pockets” or a plastic bag to exit the store.

Outside the streets of a West End vape tobacco store, a discarded vape and packagings were found on the footpath.

Strawberry flavoured vapes were available for purchase from the West End store for $38.

In May, a Queensland Health spokeswoman said the government had invested $2m in 2023-24 to significantly increase vape compliance.

“Our ongoing efforts to stop the sale of illegal tobacco and vaping products are proving highly effective, with the number of inspections, surveillance activities, and enforcement actions continuing to increase,” she said.

Originally published as Dodgy traders flouting new laws restricting the sale of vapes