‘Zero tolerance’ crackdown on illegal vapes in NSW as youth use rises

Authorities have seized millions of dollars worth of illegal vapes in an effort to tackle e-cigarette prevalence and use among young Australians.

The NSW Government is cracking down on illegal vaping, after seizing more than $1 million worth of illegal nicotine e-cigarettes and liquids since January.

This year’s haul has pushed the total value of illegal vapes and liquids seized since July 1, 2020 past $3 million.

NSW chief health officer Kerry Chant has put retailers who are acting illegally on notice, warning that NSW Health is taking a “zero tolerance approach” to illegal nicotine vape sales.

“NSW Health regularly conducts raids on retailers across the state to protect young people from these harmful devices,” Dr Chant said in a statement.

“You will be caught, illegal items will be seized, and you could face prosecution, resulting in being fined or even jailed.”

It is illegal for over-the-counter vapes to contain nicotine and retailers face fines and prison time for breaking the law. Picture: NSW Government

Nicotine vapes can only be prescribed by medical practitioners and sold at pharmacies to adults over the age of 18 to help quit smoking.

All other sales of e-cigarettes and e-liquids containing nicotine – including online sales – are illegal, and face a maximum penalty of $1650 per offence, six months in prison, or both.

Retailers and individuals can also be prosecuted for selling e-cigarette products to minors facing fines of up to $55,000 for individuals, and $110,000 for corporations.

NSW Health has announced it has a ‘zero tolerance approach’ to illegal nicotine vape sales. Picture: NSW Government

The crackdown comes after schools reported an alarming increase in the rates of vaping on school grounds, which prompted NSW Health and the Department of Education to launch a campaign to educate primary and high school students about the dangers of vaping.

The ‘Do You Know What You’re Vaping?’ campaign attempts to dispel the myth that vapes are just flavoured water vapour, exposing harmful chemicals found in vapes can also be found in cleaning products, nail polish remover, weed killer and bug spray.

And many, even those labelled “nicotine-free”, NSW Health said, contain nicotine.

The Lung Foundation of Australia conducted a study of 52 flavoured e-liquids available over the counter, and found 100 per cent of the products were “incorrectly labelled” and “contained chemicals with unknown effects on respiratory health”.

It also found that 21 per cent of over the counter e-liquids contained nicotine, “despite this being illegal in Australia”.

A study found 21 per cent of vape products – accessible to under-18s – illegally contain nicotine. Picture: NSW Government

Health experts along with Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt have warned that the uptake of young Australians with vaping is an emerging “public health crisis” in adolescents.

Dr Chant said the harmful impacts of vaping on young people and adults cannot be underestimated.

“People think they are simply flavoured water but in reality, in many cases they are ingesting poisonous chemicals that can cause life-threatening injuries,” she said.

NSW Health has committed $18.3 million towards e-cigarette control, in its wider efforts to reduce the prevalence of e-cigarette and tobacco use.