Australia's Convenience Store Association Urges E-Cigarette Policy Change

Aug.30.2022
Australia's Convenience Store Association Urges E-Cigarette Policy Change
The Australian Association of Convenience Stores (AACS) calls for urgent policy changes as over 1.1 million Australian adults choose e-cigarettes.

With over 1.1 million Australian adults opting for electronic cigarettes, the Australian Association of Convenience Stores (AACS) is calling for an urgent change in the current national policy.


According to data released by the Australian Association of Convenience Stores (AACS), the number of people using e-cigarettes has increased by 260% in the last five years, with the trend accelerating since the ban on the sale of nicotine e-cigarettes. Theo Foukkare, CEO of AACS, stated that Australia's e-cigarette policy has clearly failed.


The demand for e-cigarettes among adult smokers is overwhelming, but current policies force users to purchase unregulated products, with concerns about the quality of products from the black market.


Currently, those looking to purchase electronic cigarette products must consult a general practitioner and obtain a prescription to either purchase the product from a pharmacy or order it from overseas. This could result in the government losing millions of dollars in foreign currency.


The Albanian government must intervene to address the regulatory failure of the former Minister of Health, ensuring that trustworthy retailers only sell electronic cigarettes that meet electrical safety and ingredient standards, once the age of the buyer has been determined.


Data from convenience stores in Australia indicate that 88% of e-cigarettes were purchased on the black market without a valid medical prescription as required by law.


This is not a problem that will disappear. It will continue to grow. Australian parents and teachers are on the front line.


Australian adults will continue to pay the price and risk their health by purchasing unregulated products if there is no alternative solution, as there are currently no standards in place for the manufacture or supply of e-cigarettes.


The AACS has called on the Albanian government to hold an emergency national policy summit to address the use of electronic cigarettes by 5.8% of the adult population. The summit aims to identify and implement measures to tackle the illegal electronic cigarette market.


The Australian government must follow the example of New Zealand, the European Union, and the United Kingdom in regulating and controlling e-cigarettes as responsible adult consumer products sold by licensed retailers.


Statement:


This article is compiled from third-party information and is only intended for industry-related exchange and learning.


This article does not represent the viewpoint of 2FIRSTS, and 2FIRSTS is unable to confirm the authenticity and accuracy of the article's content. The translation of this article is only intended for internal industry communication and research purposes.


Due to limitations in the level of translation, the translated article may not fully reflect the original text. Please refer to the original text for accuracy.


2FIRSTS is fully aligned with the stance and statements of the Chinese government on domestic, Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, and international issues.


The ownership of compiled information belongs to the original media and authors. If there is any infringement, please contact us for deletion.



Disclaimer

This article is provided solely for professional research, industry discussion, and informational purposes. Any references to brands, companies, products, technologies, or policies are made for factual reporting and analytical purposes only, and do not constitute endorsement, recommendation, promotion, or advertising by 2Firsts.

Nicotine-containing products, including but not limited to cigarettes, e-cigarettes, heated tobacco products, and nicotine pouches, carry significant health risks. Readers are responsible for complying with all applicable laws and regulations in their respective jurisdictions, including age restrictions and access limitations.

The information contained in this article should not be regarded as investment, legal, medical, regulatory, or commercial advice. While 2Firsts strives to ensure the accuracy and reliability of its content, it does not assume liability for any direct or indirect loss arising from errors, omissions, inaccuracies, or reliance on the information contained herein.

This article is not intended for individuals below the legal age for accessing tobacco or nicotine-related information in their jurisdiction.

 

Copyright Notice

This article is either original content produced by 2Firsts or content reproduced, translated, summarized, or adapted from third-party sources with attribution where applicable. The intellectual property rights of the original content remain with 2Firsts or the respective original rights holders.

No individual or organization may copy, reproduce, distribute, republish, modify, translate, or otherwise use this content without prior authorization. Any unauthorized use may result in legal action.

For copyright-related inquiries, corrections, or removal requests, please contact: info@2firsts.com.

 

AI-Assisted Translation and Editing Notice

Portions of this article may have been translated, edited, or reviewed with the assistance of artificial intelligence tools to improve efficiency and readability. Due to the limitations of AI-assisted translation and editing, discrepancies, omissions, or inaccuracies may exist when compared with the original source.

Where applicable, readers are advised to refer to the original source for the most complete and accurate information. If you identify any errors or believe that any content infringes upon your rights, please contact us at info@2firsts.com, and we will review and address the matter promptly.

From Brands to Supply Chains: 2Firsts Builds a PMTA Compliance Service System for the U.S. Market
From Brands to Supply Chains: 2Firsts Builds a PMTA Compliance Service System for the U.S. Market
2Firsts supports new tobacco and nicotine companies entering the U.S. market with full-chain PMTA compliance services.
Jun.04
Sesh touts independence, 8VC backing and retail reach as it challenges tobacco-owned pouch brands
Sesh touts independence, 8VC backing and retail reach as it challenges tobacco-owned pouch brands
U.S. nicotine pouch brand Sesh has emphasized its independence from Altria, Philip Morris International and British American Tobacco, along with backing from investors including 8VC, celebrity supporters and a retail footprint of more than 7,500 stores, as it seeks to differentiate itself in a market where major pouch brands are owned by large tobacco companies.
Regulations
Jul.07 by 2Firsts Perspectives
2Firsts Hosts U.S. Compliance Briefing on Building PMTA Support Capabilities Across the Nicotine Supply Chain
2Firsts Hosts U.S. Compliance Briefing on Building PMTA Support Capabilities Across the Nicotine Supply Chain
2Firsts held a U.S. compliance briefing in Shenzhen to help vaping, heated tobacco and nicotine pouch supply chain companies strengthen PMTA support capabilities. The event focused on supplier documentation, quality systems, traceability, TPMF/TPMP pathways, age verification and customer audit readiness as U.S. compliance expectations increasingly extend deeper into the nicotine supply chain.
Events
Jun.12
Illicit Vape and Nicotine Pouch Seizures Concentrated in UK Hotspots, New Data Shows
Illicit Vape and Nicotine Pouch Seizures Concentrated in UK Hotspots, New Data Shows
Freedom of Information (FOI) data from the UK shows that more than 3,000 seizures of illegal nicotine products were recorded in the 2024/25 financial year, with Hull, Liverpool and Bolton emerging as the most active enforcement hotspots — highlighting that the problem of illicit vapes, nicotine pouches and smokeless tobacco products persists across many parts of the country.
Jun.16
New West Virginia Vape Law Begins, With Packaging and Ad Restrictions Ahead
New West Virginia Vape Law Begins, With Packaging and Ad Restrictions Ahead
West Virginia’s Vape Safety Act will take effect Thursday, requiring vapor products sold in vape and smoke shops to carry health warnings, legal-age notices, manufacturer information and ingredient disclosures, while introducing new licensing and enforcement rules.
Jun.10
 FDA Begins Review of 22nd Century’s VLN MRTP Renewal Applications
FDA Begins Review of 22nd Century’s VLN MRTP Renewal Applications
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has initiated scientific review of renewal applications for 22nd Century Group’s VLN reduced-nicotine cigarettes under the Modified Risk Tobacco Product (MRTP) pathway, with current authorizations set to expire in December 2026.
News
May.13