Chinese vape giants` defy Labor’s ban with bulk sales to Australians
The federal government has launched a snap investigation into Chinese vaping juggernauts caught selling illicit products online despite Labor’s ban.
Australia’s vaping crackdown is being undermined by brazen illicit vape companies who continue to illegally sell their products online and deliver them to customers via Australia Post, sparking a snap investigation by the federal government.
Despite new laws that banned the sale of all vapes outside pharmacies, The Australian has confirmed that major Australian-registered websites linked to some of China’s largest vaping juggernauts are continuing to sell commercial-quantity disposable vape devices and tobacco products directly to consumers.
As part of The Australian’s investigation into the illicit tobacco black market, it can be revealed that Australia Post has been used to package and deliver quantities of illegal vapes across the country directly to customers.
Websites for global vape wholesalers Alibarbar, iGet and VapePlus are among those still operating and of the three sites, only one has requested buyers to confirm they are over 18 before completing a purchase.
Advertising and selling any kind of vape is prohibited under the Therapeutic Goods Act, but a pack of 100 Chinese-made iGet disposable vapes is being offered for $2800 on their official website, meaning each vape would cost $28.
Chinese juggernaut Alibarbar – one of the country’s largest vape manufacturers – is aggressively promoting bulk orders with “ultra-low price” guarantees.
Online, the company describes itself as a proud “Australian-owned and operated business” but they do not have a publicly available ABN.
“In the heart of Australia, where the sun shines bright and the landscapes are breathtaking, a vaping revolution is taking place,” the company states.
When approached by The Australian on Tuesday, a Chinese phone operator confirmed Alibarbar was distributing products to tobacconists and consumers.
When pressed on whether they thought their operations were lawful, the operator denied selling vapes and ended the call.
The iGet brand is owned by Chinese billionaire Zhang Shengwei, and the Australian website offers individual vapes for under $10 and other “bulk” deals where a range of brands are available at a discounted price.
Prices for the fruity-flavoured puffers illegally sold at tobacco and corner stores have risen from about $25 to between $50 and $60 since June last year when Labor introduced one of strictest public health measures of its term by banning vapes and clamped down on importation.
It can also be revealed that officials have since seized more than 12 million illegal vapes at the border, mostly manufactured in China and sold under popular brand names Alibarbar and iGet.
Minister for Health Mark Butler has confirmed to The Australian that government agencies will investigate the vaping sites and take action. “Our authorities will investigate these websites and take appropriate enforcement action. The TGA also works closely with internet service providers to disrupt access to these websites in order to protect the community,” he said.
Mr Butler said the Labor government “will never raise the white flag” to organised crime and big tobacco. “We’re supporting states to undertake enforcement activity and resourcing the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions to undertake prosecutions,” he said. “We’re not going to let these overseas merchants flout our laws.”
A spokesperson for the Therapeutic Goods Administration said it was unlawful for any non-pharmacy retailer to supply any vaping goods, even with a prescription.
“The TGA does not generally publicly comment on possible investigations or compliance action in individual matters,” they said.
“The TGA takes all allegations of alleged non-compliance seriously and has a range of compliance and enforcement tools available to detect, deter and address non-compliant activity. This includes the use of section 313 of the Telecommunications Act 1997 to redirect websites in circumstances where it is reasonably necessary for enforcing the law.”
Since January 1, 2024, the TGA has removed almost 8500 social media posts unlawfully advertising vaping goods and has had more than 270 websites blocked.
Penalties under the federal government’s vaping reforms state that fines of up to $23.1m would be issued for non-compliant corporations, $2.31m for individuals and include up to seven years’ imprisonment.
More than 12 million illegal vapes, with an estimated street value above $600m, have been taken off the streets by the Australian Border Force and the TGA since January last year.
Opposition health spokeswoman Anne Ruston said the black market in illicit vaping had been “thriving” under the Albanese government. “Despite Labor’s heralded vaping reforms, Australian children still have ready access to these harmful products at local corner stores and online,” Ms Ruston said.
“This is sadly not surprising. When the reforms passed the parliament, the Health Minister even publicly confirmed they were ‘not going to use the police’ to enforce the new laws, sending a green light to organised crime syndicates.”
The Coalition pledged $250m at the last election to significantly expand the existing illicit tobacco taskforce to be led by the AFP and ABF, but it’s understood that plan is now being reviewed.
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