Illegal E-cigarettes and Nicotine Liquid Seized in Australia

Jul.18.2022
New South Wales in Australia cracks down on illegal e-cigarettes containing nicotine, requiring a doctor's prescription and imposing fines.

Australian state of New South Wales has seized over $1 million worth of illegal electronic cigarettes and nicotine-containing e-liquids since the start of this year.


The state mandates that electronic cigarette products containing nicotine may only be used by those above the age of 18 and must be prescribed by a doctor for smoking cessation. These products can only be purchased from pharmacies or through the importation of products with a valid prescription. In New South Wales, retailers who illegally sell e-cigarettes both online and offline can face fines of up to $1650 or imprisonment for six months, or both. Significant fines can also be levied against those who sell to minors.


According to the Alcohol and Drug Foundation in Australia, approximately 14% of students aged 12 to 17 have tried e-cigarettes, and around 12% of students have purchased e-cigarettes on their own.


This article contains excerpts or reprints from third-party sources. The copyright belongs to the original media and author. If there is any infringement, please contact us for removal. Any individual or organization wishing to repost should contact the author and refrain from directly reposting.



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.

Nature Health Comment Urges Wider Role for Smoke-Free Nicotine Products in Tobacco Control
Nature Health Comment Urges Wider Role for Smoke-Free Nicotine Products in Tobacco Control
Ahead of World No Tobacco Day, a Nature Health Comment by Robert Beaglehole, Ruth Bonita and Tikki Pang argues that regulated smoke-free nicotine products could help accelerate the global decline in smoking. The authors propose a “smoke-free 2040” goal and call for risk-proportionate regulation distinguishing cigarettes from lower-risk nicotine alternatives.
News
May.20
Philip Morris International Announces IQOS and Devialet Collaboration at Milan Design Week 2026
Philip Morris International Announces IQOS and Devialet Collaboration at Milan Design Week 2026
Philip Morris International announced on April 20 that IQOS has partnered with French acoustic engineering company Devialet to launch “Soundsorial Design” at Milan Design Week 2026. The collaboration includes an immersive exhibition and a limited-edition product set named “Soundsorial.” The exhibition will run from April 20 to April 27 at Opificio 31 in Milan.
Apr.22 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Trump Reportedly Signs Off on Plan to Fire FDA Commissioner Marty Makary
Trump Reportedly Signs Off on Plan to Fire FDA Commissioner Marty Makary
According to The Wall Street Journal, people familiar with the matter said President Trump has signed off on a plan to fire FDA Commissioner Marty Makary, though the plan is not yet final and could change. The report said Makary’s tenure has included clashes over vaping, abortion and drug policy, and that some senior administration officials view him as struggling to manage the agency.
May.09 by 2FIRSTS.ai
FDA Tobacco Center Plans Faster Review Process for Certain Supplemental PMTAs
FDA Tobacco Center Plans Faster Review Process for Certain Supplemental PMTAs
FDA Center for Tobacco Products Acting Director Bret Koplow issued a statement on May 7 outlining new steps to accelerate tobacco product premarket application review. The statement said CTP reduced the backlog of applications by approximately 70% in 2025 and that there is no longer a queue for PMTAs pending acceptance review.
May.09 by 2FIRSTS.ai
2Firsts Data|China Vape Exports Sink to Three-Year April Low After Tax Rebate Ends, Falling to $694 Million
2Firsts Data|China Vape Exports Sink to Three-Year April Low After Tax Rebate Ends, Falling to $694 Million
China’s e-cigarette export value declined to $694 million in April 2026, marking the lowest April level in the past three years. The data is notable because April was the first full month after China removed export VAT rebates for certain e-cigarette products. Compared with April 2025, export value fell 20.9%; compared with April 2024, it was down 22.3%. Month-on-month, exports dropped 23.2% from March 2026.
Special Report
May.23
CBP and FDA Seize 18 Million Illegal Vapes Worth $175 Million in Maritime Cargo Operation
CBP and FDA Seize 18 Million Illegal Vapes Worth $175 Million in Maritime Cargo Operation
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) announced that more than 18 million illegal e-cigarettes valued at over $175 million were seized during “Operation Red Mist,” a joint enforcement initiative involving the U.S. Coast Guard and the FDA. The operation primarily targeted maritime vape shipments originating from China and focused on combating illicit importation, transportation, and distribution activities.
Regulations
May.14