Record-breaking Seizure: Over 300,000 Vapes Confiscated in Perth

Aug.14.2023
Record-breaking Seizure: Over 300,000 Vapes Confiscated in Perth
Over 300,000 vapes, worth an estimated $10 million, have been seized from a warehouse in Perth, Australia.

According to a report on the abc.net website on August 14th, Australian health authorities have recently seized a total of 300,000 e-cigarettes worth an estimated $10 million from a warehouse in the northeast of Perth, Western Australia. In addition, over 10 tons of pods were also confiscated. This seizure is said to be the largest of its kind ever recorded in both the state and the country.


Authorities have revealed that over 300,000 e-cigarettes have been discovered, following a sudden operation prompted by a report, according to a statement made by Western Australia's Minister for Health, Amber-Jade Sanderson.


The data for the month of June revealed that the Western Australian Department of Health has filed only one lawsuit against a retailer involved in the illegal sale of nicotine e-cigarettes in the past 12 months. Consequently, the e-cigarette regulatory system implemented by the Western Australian government has faced criticism and scrutiny.


According to the 2014 Pharmacy and Poisons Act, the maximum penalty for selling nicotine e-cigarettes in Western Australia is a personal fine of $45,000 and three years imprisonment, or a company fine of $225,000.


Within the 12 months leading up to June, Western Australia seized 43,000 illegal e-cigarettes and issued dozens of warnings. In May, the Health Department acknowledged that no fines were imposed for illegal possession of e-cigarettes. These devices have been widely sold in stores and through underground online delivery services in Perth. The sale of e-cigarettes without a pharmacist's prescription is illegal.


References:


Over 300,000 vaping devices confiscated from a warehouse in Perth, marking a groundbreaking seizure in Western Australia.



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.

Germany Expands Take-Back Rules for Disposable Vapes From July 1
Germany Expands Take-Back Rules for Disposable Vapes From July 1
Germany has expanded take-back obligations for disposable vapes from July 1, 2026, requiring consumers to be able to return used devices at stores that sell such products, including kiosks, petrol stations and vape shops, as e-cigarette regulation extends from sales to waste management and lithium-battery safety.
Market
Jul.06 by 2Firsts Perspectives
Charlie’s Plans Q3 2026 Pilot of America’s First Age-Gated Flavored Disposable Vape
Charlie’s Plans Q3 2026 Pilot of America’s First Age-Gated Flavored Disposable Vape
U.S. vape company Charlie’s Holdings announced plans to pilot its age-gated flavored disposable vape products in hundreds of retail stores during the third quarter of 2026. The company said the products will utilize AI- and blockchain-powered age-verification technology designed to address FDA concerns over youth access and potentially create a new compliance pathway for flavored vape products.
Jun.15
China Tobacco International HK Warns First-Half Revenue May Fall 25%-30%, Tobacco Leaf and Duty-Free Exposure Highlight Reliance on Traditional Tobacco
China Tobacco International HK Warns First-Half Revenue May Fall 25%-30%, Tobacco Leaf and Duty-Free Exposure Highlight Reliance on Traditional Tobacco
CTIHK expects first-half 2026 revenue to fall 25%-30%, mainly due to lower tobacco leaf imports and delayed cigarette shipments to China’s domestic duty-free market. Its 2025 revenue mix—nearly 90% from tobacco leaf-related businesses and less than 1% from new tobacco products—shows continued exposure to traditional supply chains and trade variables.
Jun.18
Hawaii Restricts Vape Sales to FDA-Authorized Products, Disposable E-Cigarettes to Be Banned
Hawaii Restricts Vape Sales to FDA-Authorized Products, Disposable E-Cigarettes to Be Banned
Hawaii has enacted two new e-cigarette laws that significantly tighten market access requirements, requiring products to meet FDA authorization standards and banning disposable e-cigarette sales starting in 2027.
Jul.08
Special Report | Russian Vape Compromise Faces First Hurdles
Special Report | Russian Vape Compromise Faces First Hurdles
Russia’s regional vape-ban model is facing early legal and political tests, as Perm Krai moves ahead before federal legislation is fully adopted. The case highlights uncertainty over regional authority, concerns from business groups about market fragmentation, and the risk that pressure against regional bans could revive calls for a stricter nationwide prohibition.
Industry Insight
May.28
Haypp Report Shows Nicotine Pouches Gaining Ground as a Vape Alternative in the UK
Haypp Report Shows Nicotine Pouches Gaining Ground as a Vape Alternative in the UK
According to Haypp’s 2026 UK Nicotine Report, nicotine pouches are increasingly replacing both cigarettes and vaping. The UK market grew sharply, with Haypp and Northerner reporting a 60% year‑on‑year sales increase in 2025. Notably, 40% of users adopted pouches to quit vaping, nearly matching the 43% who used them to stop smoking. This indicates pouches are expanding beyond traditional smoking cessation and gaining traction among adults seeking non‑inhalable nicotine alternatives.
Jul.01