Pharmacy Daily | Tonnes of vapes seized

THE Australian Border Force (ABF) has stopped more than 13 tonnes of disposable vapes from entering the community after seizing a number of air cargo consignments in Adelaide.

This is the first large-scale seizure in Australia under the new vaping regulation that came into force on 01 Jan this year (PD 10 Jan).

ABF officers' suspicions were initially raised when 14 air cargo consignments, declared as "refillable atomiser", arrived from a single point of origin.

Following the detection in the consignments, which contained 10 tonnes of disposable vapes, ABF officers undertook rapid investigations, including warrant activity, resulting in the location and seizure of a further three tonnes of disposable vapes.

In total, the 13 tonnes of vapes have an estimated potential street value of more than $4.5 million.

Inquiries into those involved in the importation are continuing.

Federal Health Minister Mark Butler said, "the only groups who want to regulate and sell vaping products are those who profit once kids get hooked on nicotine big tobacco and tobacco retailers".

Single use disposable vapes are brightly coloured and bubble gum flavoured, intended to "entice young kids who are using them".

"This is all part of big tobacco's plan to recruit a new generation to nicotine addiction," said Butler, adding about one in six high school students are vaping, and about one in four young Australians aged between 18 and 24 are vaping.

"I thank the ABF for getting on with the job of stopping these vapes at the border and protecting our children."

ABF Assistant Commissioner Chris Waters said, "this is a clear signal to the whole community that the new vaping regime was well and truly underway.

"We expect many international vaping suppliers will continue to try to send products to Australia, and may seek to change their behaviour to avoid detection." JG