
According to the official website of the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) of Australia, on August 2nd, TGA and the Queensland Health Department seized over 10,000 nicotine pouches and hundreds of illegal e-cigarette products in a joint enforcement operation.

In this operation, with the support of the Queensland Department of Health and the Queensland Police Service (QPS), the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) executed search warrants on three tobacco retailers in Bunderburg suspected of illegally holding e-cigarettes. TGA and Queensland Health officials also inspected six retail stores in the Gladstone area.

Australia's Health Minister, Mark Butler, stated that
The joint enforcement operation between the TGA and Queensland Health demonstrates a strong enforcement attitude towards the new e-cigarette laws. This is a positive example of federal and state/territory cooperation in detecting and combatting illegal e-cigarette supply.
The seized e-cigarettes are reportedly in violation of the new commercial possession law under the Therapeutic Goods and Other Legislation Amendment (E-cigarette Reform) Act, which came into effect on July 1, 2024.
Currently, retail businesses in Australia, such as tobacco shops, e-cigarette stores, and convenience stores, are prohibited from supplying any e-cigarette products, even with a prescription. It is also typically illegal to possess e-cigarettes in retail locations. In addition to confiscating products, illegal importation, manufacturing, supplying, commercially holding, and advertising of e-cigarette products may also result in serious penalties.
Since January 1, 2024, the Australian Border Force and TGA have seized over 3.5 million e-cigarette products, valued at nearly 107 million Australian dollars (69.66 million U.S. dollars).
According to the 2024 Therapeutic Goods and Other Legislation Amendment (e-cigarette reform) Act, the maximum penalty for each offense is seven years imprisonment and/or 5000 penalty units (equivalent to $156,500 for individuals or $782,500 for businesses).
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