Australia's Strict Regulations on E-cigarette Products: Latest Updates

Sep.11.2024
Australia's Strict Regulations on E-cigarette Products: Latest Updates
Australia has cracked down on illegal e-cigarette sales, seizing over 5.2 million products worth $1 billion. Only pharmacies can sell now.

According to a statement released on September 11th on the official website of the Australian Department of Health, Australia has seized over 5.2 million illegal e-cigarettes and related products so far this year. Since the implementation of the new e-cigarette law on July 1, 2024, joint operations by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) and the Australian Border Force (ABF) have successfully intercepted over 2 million e-cigarettes, with an estimated black market value of over 1.55 billion Australian dollars (approximately 1 billion US dollars).


According to new regulations, Australia now only allows pharmacies to legally sell e-cigarette products, while other retailers such as tobacco shops, e-cigarette stores, and convenience stores are prohibited from selling them. Patients must have a prescription from a doctor or registered nurse in order to purchase therapeutic e-cigarettes at a pharmacy. Starting from October 1, 2024, patients aged 18 and above can buy therapeutic e-cigarettes with a nicotine content of no more than 20mg/ml from pharmacies without a prescription.


Furthermore, the TGA has taken action against illegal e-cigarette advertisements. Since the new law came into effect, they have issued 118 warnings and have requested digital platforms to remove over 8,000 illegal advertisements. 58 non-compliant websites will be blocked. Violators of the new e-cigarette regulations will face harsh penalties, including up to seven years in prison and fines of up to $21.9 million Australian dollars per offense. The TGA encourages the public to report any violations, especially cases of non-pharmacy retailers illegally supplying e-cigarettes.


The Australian government has stated that its world-leading e-cigarette laws are aimed at restricting the prevalence of e-cigarette products, in order to protect children and teenagers from harm. Recent studies have shown that Australian teenagers who have tried e-cigarettes are five times more likely to try smoking than their peers. The government has expressed appreciation for the work of the TGA, ABF, and various state and territorial enforcement and health agencies, and has pledged to continue efforts to eliminate the illegal circulation of e-cigarettes.


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

JUUL2 Sued Within a Week of FDA Authorization as AJ Marketing Alleges Infringement of Programmable Vape Patent
JUUL2 Sued Within a Week of FDA Authorization as AJ Marketing Alleges Infringement of Programmable Vape Patent
Less than a week after JUUL2 received U.S. FDA marketing authorization on August 28, 2026, JUUL Labs was sued for patent infringement in federal court in Delaware. AJ Marketing LLC filed the complaint on September 3, alleging that both JUUL 1 and JUUL2 infringe U.S. Patent No. 8,851,068 B2. The patent covers aspects of programmable electronic vaporization devices, including controls over dose delivery, usage frequency and operating parameters. The plaintiff is seeking reasonable royalties and ongoing royalties tied to the remaining life of the patent. JUUL has not yet publicly responded to the case.
Sep.10
As FDA Reshapes PMTA Reviews and ENDS Enforcement Priorities, CTP Acting Director Bret Koplow to Keynote NATO Event for a Retail Network of 66,000-Plus Stores
As FDA Reshapes PMTA Reviews and ENDS Enforcement Priorities, CTP Acting Director Bret Koplow to Keynote NATO Event for a Retail Network of 66,000-Plus Stores
Bret Koplow, acting director of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's Center for Tobacco Products, will deliver a keynote and participate in a fireside chat at the National Association of Tobacco Outlets' Sept. 29-30 conference in Washington. His appearance comes months after the FDA moved to accelerate PMTA reviews and introduced a more differentiated enforcement policy for certain unauthorized ENDS and oral nicotine pouch products. The agency also plans a public list identifying manufacturers and products it does not currently intend to prioritize for enforcement under the May guidance. NATO says its membership includes more than 66,000 retail stores, making product-status transparency and enforcement boundaries directly relevant to the retail sector.
Aug.14
China’s Zhengzhou Tobacco Research Institute develops end-to-end heated tobacco analysis to trace aerosol compound origins
China’s Zhengzhou Tobacco Research Institute develops end-to-end heated tobacco analysis to trace aerosol compound origins
The Zhengzhou Tobacco Research Institute of China National Tobacco Corporation has filed a patent application for an end-to-end method to analyze the migration and transformation of chemical compounds in heated tobacco products. Using GC-Orbitrap/MS non-targeted analysis, the method compares tobacco substrate and aerosol samples to distinguish compounds transferred directly from the substrate from those newly formed during heating, while also calculating transfer rates. In an example involving nine heated tobacco products, the patent identified 17 newly formed thermal decomposition compounds and 38 transferred compounds.
Aug.13
Cochrane 2026 Update Adds Nine Trials, Keeps High-Certainty Finding That Nicotine E-Cigarettes Improve Quit Rates Over NRT
Cochrane 2026 Update Adds Nine Trials, Keeps High-Certainty Finding That Nicotine E-Cigarettes Improve Quit Rates Over NRT
Cochrane’s 2026 update of its living review on electronic cigarettes for smoking cessation included 80 randomized controlled trials involving 29,861 adult smokers, with nine trials added in this update. The review retained its high-certainty conclusion that nicotine e-cigarettes increase smoking cessation rates compared with nicotine replacement therapy. In absolute terms, about 10 in 100 people using nicotine e-cigarettes may quit smoking for at least six months, compared with about 6 in 100 using NRT. The review found no clear difference in serious adverse event rates between the two groups, while longer-term safety and the relative effectiveness of newer device types remain less certain.
Sep.07
Product | VAPORESSO Launches PRIX MTL Pod, With NFC Version Linking Interchangeable Panels to On-Screen Animations
Product | VAPORESSO Launches PRIX MTL Pod, With NFC Version Linking Interchangeable Panels to On-Screen Animations
VAPORESSO introduced the PRIX MTL pod system in August 2026 in two versions, Filter and NFC. The Filter version allows users to switch between a conventional drip tip and a filter tip, while the NFC version links interchangeable panels to matching on-screen animations. PRIX features a 2,600mAh battery, a 5.5ml pod, a 0.87-inch TFT display and a maximum output of 40W, alongside Dual Mesh Impact Pods capable of operating at two resistance and power configurations. VAPORESSO's French website lists MSRP at $39.99 for the Filter version and $49.90 for the NFC version.
Market
Aug.24 by 2Firsts Perspectives
Philippines Customs Seizes PHP11.68 Billion($200 Million) in Illegal Tobacco and Vapes in First Seven Months of 2026
Philippines Customs Seizes PHP11.68 Billion($200 Million) in Illegal Tobacco and Vapes in First Seven Months of 2026
Philippines Customs data showed that illegal cigarettes and vape products seized during the first seven months of 2026 were valued at about PHP11.68 billion, exceeding the PHP2.516 billion recorded for the full year of 2025. The figures were disclosed by a Bureau of Customs official during a House Committee on Ways and Means hearing on tobacco excise tax reforms. Vape-related seizures were valued at about PHP1.65 billion, with most cases recorded at the Manila International Container Port. Customs officials said enforcement against illicit tobacco trade would continue.
Aug.26