Low pharmacy vaping uptake fuels black market fears
Landmark law changes that took effect in October meant the products can only legally be sold through pharmacies, with prison terms and huge fines for those caught illegally supplying or manufacturing vapes.
But data released by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) found little more than 40,000 vapes were supplied via pharmacists without a prescription in the first seven months of the scheme.
That compares with the more than nine million illegal vapes seized since January 2024, showing bulk demand for the product in Australia.
The TGA does not know how many vapes were sold via prescriptions, though only about 3000 medical practitioners are approved to prescribe them nationwide.
But Health Minister Mark Butler insisted the laws had been effective, because smoking prevalence data had Australia's rates at all-time lows across all age groups.
"We're taking on big tobacco on the one hand and organised crime on the other, which continues to use vapes as a ready source of revenue to fund all their other criminal activities," he said.
"We know this is not going to be easy, but we're really pleased that our world leading (is) finally turning the corner on this public health scourge."
But critics, including the federal opposition, said the data showed the government's approach was not working.
"Instead of actually working to come up with a solution and have the enforcement that needed to go with it, (the government) doubled down on that policy and went to a completely unconsolidated policy that said you can only buy vapes by going to the pharmacy," opposition health spokeswoman Anne Ruston told Sky.
"The pharmacies didn't want to do that and, lo and behold, 18 months later, quite clearly, it's not working.
"The real tragedy of all this is the fact we have seen young Australians particularly forced into the hands of organised crime."
NSW Liberal MP Kellie Sloane said the lack of buy-in from pharmacists was driving consumers to tobacconists selling vapes on the black market.
"People are buying them illegally, and if not buying the vapes, they'll buy the illicit tobacco," she told 2GB.
A TGA spokesman said the approach taken by the government was working because vaping use among young Australians was decreasing.
"The government's world-leading reforms to vaping products were designed to make illicit vapes easier to detect and to reduce opportunities for unlawful trade in these products," he said.
"Strengthening the regulation of all e-cigarettes, through enhanced border controls, banning all single-use vaping devices, ending the sale of vapes outside of pharmacies, and heightening advertising restrictions on vapes has made it easier to identify and disrupt the illicit supply of vapes and take enforcement action."
After the new federal laws came into force, NSW authorities seized more than 47,000 illegal vapes in the last three months of 2024.
Australian Border Force and TGA officials themselves seized more than seven million vapes at borders across all of 2024.
Fewer than 200 non-prescription vapes are being sold through pharmacists each day, fuelling speculation a massive black market continues to thrive.
Landmark law changes that took effect in October meant the products can only legally be sold through pharmacies, with prison terms and huge fines for those caught illegally supplying or manufacturing vapes.
But data released by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) found little more than 40,000 vapes were supplied via pharmacists without a prescription in the first seven months of the scheme.
That compares with the more than nine million illegal vapes seized since January 2024, showing bulk demand for the product in Australia.
The TGA does not know how many vapes were sold via prescriptions, though only about 3000 medical practitioners are approved to prescribe them nationwide.
But Health Minister Mark Butler insisted the laws had been effective, because smoking prevalence data had Australia's rates at all-time lows across all age groups.
"We're taking on big tobacco on the one hand and organised crime on the other, which continues to use vapes as a ready source of revenue to fund all their other criminal activities," he said.
"We know this is not going to be easy, but we're really pleased that our world leading (is) finally turning the corner on this public health scourge."
But critics, including the federal opposition, said the data showed the government's approach was not working.
"Instead of actually working to come up with a solution and have the enforcement that needed to go with it, (the government) doubled down on that policy and went to a completely unconsolidated policy that said you can only buy vapes by going to the pharmacy," opposition health spokeswoman Anne Ruston told Sky.
"The pharmacies didn't want to do that and, lo and behold, 18 months later, quite clearly, it's not working.
"The real tragedy of all this is the fact we have seen young Australians particularly forced into the hands of organised crime."
NSW Liberal MP Kellie Sloane said the lack of buy-in from pharmacists was driving consumers to tobacconists selling vapes on the black market.
"People are buying them illegally, and if not buying the vapes, they'll buy the illicit tobacco," she told 2GB.
A TGA spokesman said the approach taken by the government was working because vaping use among young Australians was decreasing.
"The government's world-leading reforms to vaping products were designed to make illicit vapes easier to detect and to reduce opportunities for unlawful trade in these products," he said.
"Strengthening the regulation of all e-cigarettes, through enhanced border controls, banning all single-use vaping devices, ending the sale of vapes outside of pharmacies, and heightening advertising restrictions on vapes has made it easier to identify and disrupt the illicit supply of vapes and take enforcement action."
After the new federal laws came into force, NSW authorities seized more than 47,000 illegal vapes in the last three months of 2024.
Australian Border Force and TGA officials themselves seized more than seven million vapes at borders across all of 2024.
Fewer than 200 non-prescription vapes are being sold through pharmacists each day, fuelling speculation a massive black market continues to thrive.
Landmark law changes that took effect in October meant the products can only legally be sold through pharmacies, with prison terms and huge fines for those caught illegally supplying or manufacturing vapes.
But data released by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) found little more than 40,000 vapes were supplied via pharmacists without a prescription in the first seven months of the scheme.
That compares with the more than nine million illegal vapes seized since January 2024, showing bulk demand for the product in Australia.
The TGA does not know how many vapes were sold via prescriptions, though only about 3000 medical practitioners are approved to prescribe them nationwide.
But Health Minister Mark Butler insisted the laws had been effective, because smoking prevalence data had Australia's rates at all-time lows across all age groups.
"We're taking on big tobacco on the one hand and organised crime on the other, which continues to use vapes as a ready source of revenue to fund all their other criminal activities," he said.
"We know this is not going to be easy, but we're really pleased that our world leading (is) finally turning the corner on this public health scourge."
But critics, including the federal opposition, said the data showed the government's approach was not working.
"Instead of actually working to come up with a solution and have the enforcement that needed to go with it, (the government) doubled down on that policy and went to a completely unconsolidated policy that said you can only buy vapes by going to the pharmacy," opposition health spokeswoman Anne Ruston told Sky.
"The pharmacies didn't want to do that and, lo and behold, 18 months later, quite clearly, it's not working.
"The real tragedy of all this is the fact we have seen young Australians particularly forced into the hands of organised crime."
NSW Liberal MP Kellie Sloane said the lack of buy-in from pharmacists was driving consumers to tobacconists selling vapes on the black market.
"People are buying them illegally, and if not buying the vapes, they'll buy the illicit tobacco," she told 2GB.
A TGA spokesman said the approach taken by the government was working because vaping use among young Australians was decreasing.
"The government's world-leading reforms to vaping products were designed to make illicit vapes easier to detect and to reduce opportunities for unlawful trade in these products," he said.
"Strengthening the regulation of all e-cigarettes, through enhanced border controls, banning all single-use vaping devices, ending the sale of vapes outside of pharmacies, and heightening advertising restrictions on vapes has made it easier to identify and disrupt the illicit supply of vapes and take enforcement action."
After the new federal laws came into force, NSW authorities seized more than 47,000 illegal vapes in the last three months of 2024.
Australian Border Force and TGA officials themselves seized more than seven million vapes at borders across all of 2024.
Fewer than 200 non-prescription vapes are being sold through pharmacists each day, fuelling speculation a massive black market continues to thrive.
Landmark law changes that took effect in October meant the products can only legally be sold through pharmacies, with prison terms and huge fines for those caught illegally supplying or manufacturing vapes.
But data released by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) found little more than 40,000 vapes were supplied via pharmacists without a prescription in the first seven months of the scheme.
That compares with the more than nine million illegal vapes seized since January 2024, showing bulk demand for the product in Australia.
The TGA does not know how many vapes were sold via prescriptions, though only about 3000 medical practitioners are approved to prescribe them nationwide.
But Health Minister Mark Butler insisted the laws had been effective, because smoking prevalence data had Australia's rates at all-time lows across all age groups.
"We're taking on big tobacco on the one hand and organised crime on the other, which continues to use vapes as a ready source of revenue to fund all their other criminal activities," he said.
"We know this is not going to be easy, but we're really pleased that our world leading (is) finally turning the corner on this public health scourge."
But critics, including the federal opposition, said the data showed the government's approach was not working.
"Instead of actually working to come up with a solution and have the enforcement that needed to go with it, (the government) doubled down on that policy and went to a completely unconsolidated policy that said you can only buy vapes by going to the pharmacy," opposition health spokeswoman Anne Ruston told Sky.
"The pharmacies didn't want to do that and, lo and behold, 18 months later, quite clearly, it's not working.
"The real tragedy of all this is the fact we have seen young Australians particularly forced into the hands of organised crime."
NSW Liberal MP Kellie Sloane said the lack of buy-in from pharmacists was driving consumers to tobacconists selling vapes on the black market.
"People are buying them illegally, and if not buying the vapes, they'll buy the illicit tobacco," she told 2GB.
A TGA spokesman said the approach taken by the government was working because vaping use among young Australians was decreasing.
"The government's world-leading reforms to vaping products were designed to make illicit vapes easier to detect and to reduce opportunities for unlawful trade in these products," he said.
"Strengthening the regulation of all e-cigarettes, through enhanced border controls, banning all single-use vaping devices, ending the sale of vapes outside of pharmacies, and heightening advertising restrictions on vapes has made it easier to identify and disrupt the illicit supply of vapes and take enforcement action."
After the new federal laws came into force, NSW authorities seized more than 47,000 illegal vapes in the last three months of 2024.
Australian Border Force and TGA officials themselves seized more than seven million vapes at borders across all of 2024.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Sky News AU
3 hours ago
- Sky News AU
Labor to act on key cost-of-living promises in first week of parliament
Australians are weeks away from receiving a 20 per cent cut to their student debt, with Labor vowing to scrap HECS and HELP debt as the government's first priority once parliament resumes, following the government's landslide election victory. The changes will be applied to all student debts as they on June 1, 2025, with the average HELP debt of $27,600 set to receive a reduction of about $5520. The HECS reform will also reduce the repayment threshold for debts from $56,156 to $67,000. Rates of repayments will also be lowered then current levels, with someone on $70,000 paying $1300. Despite the Coalition not supporting the measure during the campaign, education spokesman Jonno Duniam said he expected the Bill to 'pass' parliament. Speaking to the ABC on Sunday, he said that while the legislation would still need to go through party room and shadow cabinet, he believed 'the Australian people spoke pretty clearly … around the policies the Labor Party took,' adding the party was 'not really in the business of standing in the way of cost of living relief'. Labor will also seek to introduce its cost-of-living election promises, including the $150 energy rebate top up, the 30 per cent discount on home batteries, paid prac measures for student nurses, teachers, social workers and midwives, plus a $10,000 cash bonus for trainee builders who finish their construction apprenticeship. It will also begin work on legislating a two-week increase for Government Paid Parental Leave and laws to add superannuation on government paid parental leave, while also increasing the Super Guarantee to 12 per cent. Education Minister Jason Clare will also use the first sitting week to introduce Bills to tighten protection settings in childcare centres, including provision to allow anti-fraud officers to inspect centres with a warrant or police supervision. The Coalition has also said it's open to working with the government to get the Commonwealth to pull funding on centres which fail to meet safety standards after a Victorian former childcare worker Joshua Brown was hit with more than 70 child abuse charges. While Labor holds a thumping 94-seat majority, out of a total 150 seats, in the Lower House, the government will still need to negotiate with either the Greens (which hold 10 seats), the Coalition's 27 senators, or the 10-member crossbench. After an election bloodbath, the Coalition will return with a significantly reduced 43 seats, while the Greens have been reduced to a single seat. Ahead of the official opening of the 48th parliament, Sussan Ley warned that while the Coalition would 'provide a constructive path for any legislation that makes Australia stronger,' it's 'good will is not a blank cheque'. As it stands, the opposition has already vowed to fight Labor's proposed superannuation tax on balances over $3m, with the Coalition also set to eye accidentally released treasury advice to Jim Chalmers which urged him to consider new taxes to increase the budget outlook. 'Anthony Albanese is yet to explain why his departmental officials secretly advised the Treasurer that Labor would need to raise taxes on Australians,' the Opposition Leader said. 'We will seek answers on behalf of Australian taxpayers, not one of whom should face a new tax that they didn't vote for.' It will also continue to attack Labor over its handling of Australia-US relations, following further fallout from Donald Trump's tariff trade war, with Anthony Albanese yet to secure a meeting with the US President. Originally published as Labor to act on key cost-of-living promises like 20pc HELP debt wipe-out, paid prac, $150 energy rebate
The Age
7 hours ago
- The Age
Leave legal electric bike riders alone
Younger voting age I happened to be chatting with my mother and my daughter when the story about the UK lowering the voting age to 16 came up. I pointed out that my mother left school at 14 and started working full time (although she was unable to convince my 19-year-old daughter that 'typist' was a genuine job). My mother was married at 19, and had her first baby with her at her 21st birthday. Yes, she was 'worldly' and mature and experienced at a young age. My daughter still lives at home with her mum and dad at 19 years of age, which is in no way uncommon. She won't finish her schooling (at university) before she turns 21, and probably won't be in full-time work until a few years after that. Again, that's not uncommon. Clearly, kids 'grow up' much later in life now than they did two generations ago. This should be a factor in rejecting the move to allowing 16 year olds to vote. Geoffrey McNaughton, Glen Huntly Proceed with caution The Greens who are wanting the vote for 16-year-old Australians, believing, perhaps mistakenly, that these young people would be more likely to support their cause, should remember that, unlike the UK, we have compulsory voting. Certainly, many 16 year olds can articulate their socio-political opinions and would be worthy contributors to national debates. But many would no doubt rely on the example of parental voting patterns and information (false or true) from social media for their views. Indeed, many less mature children may indeed simply add to the informal vote. Kay Moulton, Surrey Hills Educate, then vote Following the UK example, considering if 16 year olds should have the vote in Australia is worthy of discussion. However, there needs to be some thought as to how young voters can be enabled to make informed choices. Most of the students I taught over a 40-year span in the secondary setting were very vague about Australian politics and the mechanics of the parliamentary system. This year, volunteering for an MP during the election campaign, I was surprised at the number of voters who also had a limited understanding of the workings of the electoral system. Although the secondary curriculum is very overcrowded, perhaps there is merit in introducing a short and tightly structured unit on Australian politics for senior students. The more voters know about how government functions in Australia will make our democracy even more robust. Louise Edwards, Sorrento Reading choice Interesting to reflect on the 'expert views' of your contributors to the 'debate' about the value of reading to children. One certainly must acknowledge the pressures on parents, be that financial or competing choices, and peer pressure amongst many such considerations. However, ultimately we all make choices and perhaps these are not always well considered. Do I go and watch the latest episode of a favourite series or talk to my kids or read them a story? Not always an easy choice, but it is a choice with consequences? Charles Griss, Balwyn Call this democratic? What other democracy gives one category of people two votes each while another category of people, get one vote as is the case in City of Melbourne council elections? Another Jess Kennett legacy apparently. This needs to be urgently addressed (″ Reece moots electoral reform for Melbourne ″, 19/7). Jenny Macmillan, Clifton Hill Infants at risk The guilt, grief and anger described by Wendy Syfret (Opinion, 19/7) as she was forced to leave her crying baby in childcare due to the financial necessity to work, is echoed daily in childcare centres across this land. The choices of parents are now greatly diminished, narrowed by the cost of housing and justified in the name of productivity. Babies need secure and consistent care by people they know and trust. Being exposed to multiple staff in a childcare system driven by profit and riddled with staff recruitment and retention problems, puts infants at serious risk of emotional abuse, with potentially long-term harm. We have known this for a long time – it was why we closed babies' homes in the 1970s. In addition to all the measures needed to make childcare safe for very young children, let us think broadly about the solutions. Housing affordability, extending paid parental leave, increasing work flexibility for fathers as well as mothers, means-tested family benefits in lieu of childcare subsidies for parents who prefer to be at home with their infants – all these should be high on the government's agenda. Emeritus Professor Dorothy Scott, Australian Centre for Child Protection, Adelaide, SA Plastics in the stream I thought I had a fair grasp of plastic recycling in Australia and was fairly confident that I was doing the right thing, but the article ″ The plastic that contaminates our recycling stream ″ July 19, was a depressing eye-opener. What will it take to achieve nationwide, clear and consistent labelling that is both legible and specific to local recycling capabilities, along with mandatory extended producer responsibility? The onus is on government, manufacturers and consumers alike to effect the positive change so desperately needed. Vikki O'Neill, Ashburton ICYDK about RPET I am curious if any other conscientious, well-intentioned, would-be recyclers who read the article 'The plastic that contaminates our recycling stream″ now feel even more confused than they were before. Opaque PET? Is that a plastic milk carton? RPET? Does that mean any recycled plastic is a pointless nuisance if included in your recycling bin? We try our best, and yet again I feel we are Sisyphus dwarfed by the growing mountain of rubbish and plastic we generate. If the governments and councils cannot get their act together to help us understand how to do things better, perhaps The Age could enlighten us all by running a short series investigating all the common things Victorian households recycle (or mistakenly try to recycle). Sam Bouchier, Kyneton Solar panel regret I have just received notice of upcoming increases in my electricity rates. All have gone up except the solar feed-in tariff which has gone from 4.5 cents (a pittance) to 1.5 cents (an insult). If I bypass the meter I would be charged with theft, if they bypass reasonable compensation it is called 'business'. I regret ever having installed solar panels. My $8000 plus investment will never pay for itself and only serves to subsidise the electricity company. There is even a suggestion to pay us nothing or charge for feeding in solar. I consider that amounts to theft, taking something and selling (fencing) it to someone else. Floris Eringa, Hinnomunjie Lawless actions The renaissance of consciousness of MAGA members about the Epstein 'cover-up' by the Trump government should prompt cautionary introspection. The impunity enjoyed by those who partook of Epstein's paedophiliac activities is probably trivial in comparison to the risk posed by the lawless actions of ICE towards minors. The taking of children by ICE, combined with the staggering absence of accountability, must be enormously attractive to paedophiles, eyeing the opportunity to abuse infants without the intervention of the rule of law. It would be a blessing to humanity if the rise in consciousness currently being exhibited by MAGA members extended to the protection of children today. Martin Bell, Balgowlah, NSW AFL sell-out I paid to attend a socially relaxing night of AFL football, only to find that the main event was advertising. Even during the game, we were continually assaulted by flashing, running billboard lights so distracting that you could hardly watch the game. I had to retire to the bar and watch it on TV. Is it time government banned excess advertising at public events? We have always had limits on public TV. Greed is destroying our environment, our national sport and our social relaxation. They are selling its soul. Michael Yencken, Armadale AND ANOTHER THING Diplomacy Peter Hartcher's article ‴ Adolescent' nation coming of age ″ (19/7), reflects Australia's movement away from the time-honoured ″all the way with L.B.J.″ to a more practical policy, ″on our way the Albo way″. Jim McLeod, Sale One has to hope and pray that Albanese's bromance with Xi isn't a modern version of Pig Iron Bob. Tom Stafford, Wheelers Hill Trump The political tyrant Trump suing the media tyrant Murdoch will be an interesting spectator sport. George Djoneff, Mitcham Donald Trump is to sue Rupert Murdoch for $15 billion. Rupert, 'Reap what you sow'. Enjoy. Rod Eldridge, Derrinallum Trump in one word:'Tariffiying'. Barry Greer, Balnarring Furthermore Re ' Think you're getting old?' (20/7). I must be getting old. It reports 'don't say the word ridiculous in front of your adult children'. That sounds ridiculous to me. Robin Jensen, Castlemaine As a teacher of more than 35 years, I have no more concern about lowering the voting age for students as I do in allowing some of the parents to continue to vote. Craig Jory, Albury, NSW Seriously, is anyone surprised about anything to do with Mark Latham? And to think he was once an option for prime minister. Lol. Michael Carver, Hawthorn East
West Australian
8 hours ago
- West Australian
Labor to act on key cost-of-living promises like 20pc HELP debt wipe-out, paid prac, $150 energy rebate
Australians are weeks away from receiving a 20 per cent cut to their student debt, with Labor vowing to scrap HECS and HELP debt as the government's first priority once parliament resumes, following the government's landslide election victory. The changes will be applied to all student debts as they on June 1, 2025, with the average HELP debt of $27,600 set to receive a reduction of about $5520. The HECS reform will also reduce the repayment threshold for debts from $56,156 to $67,000. Rates of repayments will also be lowered then current levels, with someone on $70,000 paying $1300. Despite the Coalition not supporting the measure during the campaign, education spokesman Jonno Duniam said he expected the Bill to 'pass' parliament. Speaking to the ABC on Sunday, he said that while the legislation would still need to go through party room and shadow cabinet, he believed 'the Australian people spoke pretty clearly … around the policies the Labor Party took,' adding the party was 'not really in the business of standing in the way of cost of living relief'. Labor will also seek to introduce its cost-of-living election promises, including the $150 energy rebate top up, the 30 per cent discount on home batteries, paid prac measures for student nurses, teachers, social workers and midwives, plus a $10,000 cash bonus for trainee builders who finish their construction apprenticeship. It will also begin work on legislating a two-week increase for Government Paid Parental Leave and laws to add superannuation on government paid parental leave, while also increasing the Super Guarantee to 12 per cent. Education Minister Jason Clare will also use the first sitting week to introduce Bills to tighten protection settings in childcare centres, including provision to allow anti-fraud officers to inspect centres with a warrant or police supervision. The Coalition has also said it's open to working with the government to get the Commonwealth to pull funding on centres which fail to meet safety standards after a Victorian former childcare worker Joshua Brown was hit with more than 70 child abuse charges. While Labor holds a thumping 94-seat majority, out of a total 150 seats, in the Lower House, the government will still need to negotiate with either the Greens (which hold 10 seats), the Coalition's 27 senators, or the 10-member crossbench. After an election bloodbath, the Coalition will return with a significantly reduced 43 seats, while the Greens have been reduced to a single seat. Ahead of the official opening of the 48th parliament, Sussan Ley warned that while the Coalition would 'provide a constructive path for any legislation that makes Australia stronger,' it's 'good will is not a blank cheque'. As it stands, the opposition has already vowed to fight Labor's proposed superannuation tax on balances over $3m, with the Coalition also set to eye accidentally released treasury advice to Jim Chalmers which urged him to consider new taxes to increase the budget outlook. 'Anthony Albanese is yet to explain why his departmental officials secretly advised the Treasurer that Labor would need to raise taxes on Australians,' the Opposition Leader said. 'We will seek answers on behalf of Australian taxpayers, not one of whom should face a new tax that they didn't vote for.' It will also continue to attack Labor over its handling of Australia-US relations, following further fallout from Donald Trump's tariff trade war, with Anthony Albanese yet to secure a meeting with the US President.
