Australian Government Faces Opposition Over E-Cigarette Regulation Decision

Regulations by 2FIRSTS.ai
May.27.2024
Australian Government Faces Opposition Over E-Cigarette Regulation Decision
Australia could stand to gain millions in revenue if e-cigarettes are regulated, but the opposition party remains firm on the ban.

According to Australian news outlet YahooNews on May 27, industry experts predict that if Australia were to regulate e-cigarettes, it could bring in millions of dollars in unexpected tax revenue. However, the Labor Party continues to refuse the calls to lift the strict ban on recreational e-cigarettes. Parliament is expected to vote in June on whether to crack down on e-cigarettes, but the government's third anti-e-cigarette bill is facing opposition from the National Party, who are advocating for taxing non-prescription e-cigarette products rather than banning them.

 

Industry models predict that if e-cigarettes are legalized and a consumption tax is implemented, e-cigarettes could potentially generate an additional $600 million in goods and services tax for states such as Victoria and New South Wales within the next four years. National Party MP Barnaby Joyce stated that regulating e-cigarette products like tobacco and alcohol would reduce funds entering the black market, but he also expressed that he does not support regulation of illegal substances like marijuana.

 

According to Joyce, people are benefiting from e-cigarettes, mainly organized crime. If you want to solve this problem, you must strengthen regulation.

 

He mentioned that although he doesn't use e-cigarettes himself, he is aware of the harm they can cause to the body, and even potentially be deadly. However, he also pointed out that traditional tobacco cigarettes also have similar risks, but they are legal. Australian Minister for the Environment, Tanya Plibersek, stated that the government will not change its stance, and said that the nationwide ban is in place to protect the younger generation from the negative health impacts of e-cigarettes.

 

She said, "The only ones hoping to increase e-cigarette sales in Australia are tobacco companies, while their initial consumers are dying from smoking-related health issues." Pruebeixi warned, "We may generate some revenue from taxes, but we may end up spending billions of Australian dollars in the healthcare system to clean up the mess of e-cigarette addiction gripping today's youth.

 

The Labor Party has announced its third set of regulations on vaping, which will ban the domestic manufacturing, advertising, supply, and commercial ownership of non-therapeutic e-cigarettes. Previous regulations, which came into effect in January of this year, have already banned the import of e-cigarettes and increased enforcement activities. The Liberal Party and the Green Party have yet to take a clear stance on the regulations, but Green Party leader Adam Bandt has expressed support for harm reduction rather than prohibition. The Senate is expected to vote on the bill before the end of this session next week or in the next session in June.

 

We welcome news tips, article submissions, interview requests, or comments on this piece.

Please contact us at info@2firsts.com, or reach out to Alan Zhao, CEO of 2Firsts, on LinkedIn


Notice

1.  This article is intended solely for professional research purposes related to industry, technology, and policy. Any references to brands or products are made purely for objective description and do not constitute any form of endorsement, recommendation, or promotion by 2Firsts.

2.  The use of nicotine-containing products — including, but not limited to, cigarettes, e-cigarettes, nicotine pouchand heated tobacco products — carries significant health risks. Users are responsible for complying with all applicable laws and regulations in their respective jurisdictions.

3.  This article is not intended to serve as the basis for any investment decisions or financial advice. 2Firsts assumes no direct or indirect liability for any inaccuracies or errors in the content.

4.  Access to this article is strictly prohibited for individuals below the legal age in their jurisdiction.

 

Copyright

 

This article is either an original work created by 2Firsts or a reproduction from third-party sources with proper attribution. All copyrights and usage rights belong to 2Firsts or the original content provider. Unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or any other form of unauthorized use by any individual or organization is strictly prohibited. Violators will be held legally accountable.

For copyright-related inquiries, please contact: info@2firsts.com

 

AI Assistance Disclaimer

 

This article may have been enhanced using AI tools to improve translation and editorial efficiency. However, due to technical limitations, inaccuracies may occur. Readers are encouraged to refer to the cited sources for the most accurate information.

We welcome any corrections or feedback. Please contact us at: info@2firsts.com

Special Report | China Opens Draft Mandatory Heated Cigarette Standard for Comment, Multiple Heating Technologies Remain in Scope
Special Report | China Opens Draft Mandatory Heated Cigarette Standard for Comment, Multiple Heating Technologies Remain in Scope
China’s State Tobacco Monopoly Administration (STMA) has released a draft mandatory national standard for heated cigarettes, setting out detailed requirements for tobacco sticks, heating devices and aerosols. The proposal treats the stick and device as parts of the same product system, focuses on minimum safety and quality requirements, and leaves several heating architectures within scope.
Special Report
Jul.29
2FIRSTS EXCLUSIVE|China Breaks Up $6.8 Million Illegal Hookah Tobacco Operation as Market Expands
2FIRSTS EXCLUSIVE|China Breaks Up $6.8 Million Illegal Hookah Tobacco Operation as Market Expands
Chinese authorities have dismantled an illegal hookah tobacco operation worth more than 46 million yuan ($6.8 million), detaining five foreign suspects and seizing over 500,000 boxes of tobacco paste. The case comes as hookah expands across China’s nightlife sector and attracts overseas operators, including former vaping entrepreneurs. It also raises a central regulatory question: whether waterpipe tobacco will follow China’s private-sector e-cigarette licensing model or be reserved for the state tobacco system, as with nicotine pouches, in the years ahead.
Jul.31
China’s Jiangsu Tobacco Monopoly Bureau and Drug Regulator Target Illegal Vape Sales Disguised as Medical Devices, Define Six Violations
China’s Jiangsu Tobacco Monopoly Bureau and Drug Regulator Target Illegal Vape Sales Disguised as Medical Devices, Define Six Violations
China’s Jiangsu Tobacco Monopoly Bureau and Jiangsu Provincial Medical Products Administration have issued a joint notice targeting illegal production and sales of vape products disguised as medical devices. The notice identifies six categories of violations, including obtaining medical licenses through false materials, misusing medical device credentials, expanding production beyond approved scopes, and using medical device-related online platforms to promote or sell vape products. The action is based on China’s tobacco and medical device regulations and aims to strengthen vape oversight and consumer protection.
Aug.04
China Tobacco Hubei explores staged nicotine pouch delivery, using dynamic membranes to slow early release and gradient particles to sustain later delivery
China Tobacco Hubei explores staged nicotine pouch delivery, using dynamic membranes to slow early release and gradient particles to sustain later delivery
China Tobacco Hubei Industrial Co., Ltd. disclosed several oral nicotine-related patent applications in August 2026, including two that approach staged nicotine release from different directions. One uses a high-viscosity membrane that forms inside the pouch after contact with saliva to slow rapid early release, while the other uses gradient particles with a faster-disintegrating outer layer and a slower core to create a fast-to-sustained release profile. Together, the filings explore how nicotine pouches could balance initial delivery with release later in use.
Sep.03
CCPIT Says Trade Friction Index for China-Related Electronics Sector Remains High, With Vape Products Among Areas of Focus
CCPIT Says Trade Friction Index for China-Related Electronics Sector Remains High, With Vape Products Among Areas of Focus
China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) held its July regular press conference on July 31, 2026, releasing the May 2026 Global Economic and Trade Friction Index. CCPIT spokesperson Yang Fan said the global trade friction index stood at 95 in May, remaining at a medium-to-high level. By industry, the electronics sector recorded the highest trade friction index among 13 monitored industries. In China-related trade frictions, the index stood at 93, with electronics products including drones, chips and vape products among areas where friction remained elevated.
Aug.03
Former FDA Scientist Questions ZYN Review Over Pouch Material and Microplastic Risk
Former FDA Scientist Questions ZYN Review Over Pouch Material and Microplastic Risk
A former FDA toxicologist has questioned whether the agency fully assessed the material used in ZYN nicotine pouches before authorizing them for sale, raising concerns over possible microplastic exposure, according to STAT and The Examination.
Jul.16