Australia Intensifies E-Cigarette Enforcement: 20 Retailers Penalized with A$400,000 in Fines

Jan.23

Australian retailers in Melbourne fined a total of $396,000 by TGA for illegal e-cigarette sales, part of nationwide crackdown.

According to Miragenews on January 22, the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) of Australia has fined a total of $396,000 Australian dollars to 20 retailers in Melbourne for allegedly illegally selling e-cigarette products.

The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), along with the Department of Health in Victoria, conducted inspections on multiple retail stores in Melbourne in December 2024. The inspection revealed that 20 retail stores were fined $19,800 Australian dollars each for allegedly providing illegal e-cigarette products.

Starting from July 1, 2024, federal, state, and territory law enforcement officers will conduct nationwide inspections of retail stores to educate and ensure compliance regarding the illegal sale, commercial possession, and advertising of e-cigarette products. From January 1, 2024, to the present, Australian Border Force and TGA have seized over 7 million e-cigarette products. Between July 1 and December 31, 2024, TGA has issued 54 fines to businesses and individuals for illegal advertising, sale, possession, or importation of e-cigarettes.

Director of the Therapeutic Goods Administration Anthony Lawler stated, "Our role is not only to enforce the law, but also to protect the health and well-being of the Australian people now and in the future.

According to reports, the Australian "Therapeutic Goods Amendment (E-cigarette Reform) Bill 2024" prohibits retailers such as gas stations and tobacco stores from selling any type of e-cigarette. Only pharmacies in Australia are allowed to provide e-cigarettes for smoking cessation or nicotine dependence control in appropriate clinical circumstances.

References:

[1] Melbourne Retailers Fined $400K for Vape Violations

Also Read:

[1] Queensland Government Mulling Harsher Penalties for E-Cigarette Sales

[2] South Australia government crackdown on illegal tobacco and e-cigarette markets.

[3] Brisbane Tops List for Illegal E-Cigarettes in Australia

[4] Australian Tobacco Merchant Fined for Illegal Possession of E-cigarette Products

#E-cigarettes #Australia #Regulation #Oceania

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