Industry responds to Australias disposable vape import ban with cheap alternatives and encouraging illegal imports

Banning disposable vapes is a policy that is targeted at the vaping products that are most popular with young people who do not smoke. Disposable vapes also generate a large volume of plastic and hazardous waste that is not easy to recycle. Australia’s import ban on disposable vapes started 1 January 2024.1 While retailers are permitted to sell down their existing stock, it is apparent that some Australian suppliers have continued to import these products with 13 tonnes of disposable vapes recently seized by Australian Border Force.2 Continued imports despite the ban have been encouraged by Chinese manufacturers offering Australian importers insurance to cover potential seizure of the products at the border.3 Suppliers in neighbouring Aotearoa/New Zealand have also stated they ‘have no intention of stopping’ exporting vapes to Australia via their online shop.4 Australian retailers are continuing to offer disposable vaping…

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