Geelong’s illegal vape trade exposed

Harmful vapes in an array of colours and flavours are alarmingly accessible in Geelong, an Addy investigation has revealed, as experts call for tighter regulations. WATCH THE VIDEO

Geelong’s illegal vape trade is thriving amid calls to crack down on the harmful products.

The Geelong Advertiser visited three stores which sold illegal vapes within minutes’ walk of each other in the CBD.

It is illegal for retailers such as tobacconists and convenience stores to sell nicotine vaping products, but people with a prescription can buy them from pharmacies.

But workers from three central Geelong shops confirmed they carried nicotine or “nic” vapes.

Shoppers are offered a broad array of brightly-coloured vapes, with fruity flavours like passionfruit mango, that are obscured behind counters.

One store advertised an “1800 puff” device for $25, accepting cash only,while another had a “4000 puff” device for $40.

A menu of vape flavours.

A shopkeeper at one tobacconist claimed its vapes did not have nicotine – but experts said vapes were often mislabelled and could contain the substance, even if they claimed not to.

Vapes, also known as e-cigarettes, are battery-operated devices that heat a liquid (e-liquid) until it becomes an aerosol.

E-liquids can contain more than 200 chemicals including those found in pesticides, biofuel and paint thinner, according to Quit Victoria.

These chemicals are found in both nicotine and non-nicotine products and are known to cause cancer.

Heavy metals such as aluminium and lead that line the inside e-cigarettes can shed and be breathed in when vaping, leading to tiny particles that lodge deep in the lung.

A study by Quit Victoria and the Cancer Council found more than 70 per cent of e-cigarette users smoke nicotine products and only nine per cent have a prescription.

Laws relating to the sale of nicotine e-cigarette products are enforced by Victoria Police.

But when the Addy asked what the force was doing to crack down on the issue, it said the habit is “predominantly a health issue”.

“Victoria Police is aware vaping is an emerging issue and has increased in popularity, including among young people,” a spokesperson said.

Police would not say specifically if the issue was a priority for officers, despite the Addy alerting police it had found nicotine products easy to obtain without a prescription.

Officers are allowed to fine individuals possessing nicotine vapes without a prescription but the force said its focus was primarily on education.

“Victoria Police has engaged with schools in some areas to help inform parents and staff,” a spokesperson said.

A handwritten price list at a Geelong store which sells vapes.

Quit Victoria director Matthew Scanlon said nicotine was“one of the most addictive drugs” and more than 77,000 Victorians who have never smoked were currently vaping.

He said the organisation was “incredibly concerned” about how readily available vapes are across convenience stores, petrol stations and tobacconists.

The organisation is calling on the federal government to extend a ban on the import of all e-cigarette products, including non-nicotine.

Their proposal excludes those bound for wholesale pharmacies and individuals for prescription purposes.

“This will help border force stem the flow of illegal harmful products into the country,” Mr Scanlon said.

It also wants the state government to enact a retail licensing agreement to ensure visibility of which stores sell tobacco and e-cigarette products.

“This would help law enforcement crack down on illegal sales to young people or nicotine vaping products to adults without a prescription,” Mr Scanlon said.

Vapes. Picture: Jonathan Ng

The sale of any e-cigarette product, with or without nicotine, to a person under the age of 18 is prohibited in Victoria.

Earlier in February, Premier Daniel Andrews said work was under way to better tackle the illegal trade.

A Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) spokesperson said since October 2021it had commenced more than 1750 investigations in relation to nicotine vaping products (NVPs), including into alleged unlawful importation and advertising, with more than 1530 finalised.

It issued more than 110 infringement notices, together worth in excess of $769,890.

The TGA recently launched a “significant” consultation paper on potential reforms to the regulation of NVPs, the spokesperson said.

“The aim was to seek feedback on actions the government could take to regulate NVPs to prevent children and adolescents from accessing NVPs, while supporting access to products of known composition and quality for smoking cessation with a doctor’s prescription,” the spokesperson said.

Consultation closed in January and close to 4000 submissions were received.

“The responses are currently being considered by the government before decisions are made on any changes to the regulatory framework,” the spokesperson said.

City of Greater Geelong acting director of city services David Greaves said councils were funded by the health department to complete a certain number of tobacco retailer compliance assessments of businesses every year.

“The city completes additional assessments each year out of concern for the community,” he said.

It carried out 142 assessments in 2022, 16 of which were for businesses that sold e-cigarette products.

In 2021, council completed 129 assessments, 21 of which were for businesses that sold e-cigarette products.

“During this two-year period, the city received 38 tobacco related complaints which included complaints regarding vapes/e-cigarette products,” Mr Greaves said.

“All tobacco retailer compliance assessments that revealed the presence of illegal nicotine-containing vapes/e-cigarette products were reported to Crimestoppers.”

Originally published as Geelong’s illegal vape trade exposed