A Sunshine Coast tobacconist has been fined $37,560 for the alleged unlawful possession of a commercial quantity of vaping goods.
The business was issued with infringement notices by the Therapeutic Goods Administration as part of the TGA’s enforcement activities against illegal vapes.
The vaping goods were located when the TGA executed search warrants across multiple businesses on September 18 and 19, as part of a joint operation with Queensland Health and the Queensland Police Service.
More than 4900 vapes and almost 300 tins of nicotine pouches, in addition to tobacco, were seized during the operation.
Since July 1, enforcement officers have visited retail stores across the country to educate and issue warnings about unlawful supply, commercial possession and advertising of vaping goods, with information materials disseminated widely.
Where non-compliance was suspected, officers executed search warrants and seized the allegedly unlawful vapes and other products.
The enforcement operations highlight the commitment of both the TGA and Queensland Health to ensuring compliance with the Therapeutic Goods and Other Legislation Amendment (Vaping Reforms) Act 2024, which prohibits retailers such as tobacconists and convenience stores from selling any type of vape.
Only Australian pharmacies are permitted to supply vapes.
TGA head and chief medical officer professor Anthony Lawler said the clampdown would continue.
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“For those out there who are unlawfully supplying vapes, in vape stores or other retail settings, significant penalties will apply,” he said.
“The TGA will continue to work with state and territory authorities to remove illicit vapes from the market and will take action against those people and businesses contravening the new laws.”
The TGA encouraged anyone with information about the unlawful sale of vaping goods to report it through the TGA’s report a breach page.
