The Failure of Australia's Nicotine E-Cigarette Ban

Dec.01.2022
The Failure of Australia's Nicotine E-Cigarette Ban
Australia's ban on nicotine e-cigarettes has led to a rise in black market sales and failed to curb youth usage.

Several years ago, Australia banned nicotine electronic cigarettes. It comes as no surprise that these products are now under attack, primarily because the law has failed to curb their use, and there has been a surge in young people using e-cigarettes, reaching record levels. This has only increased the value of the black market. It is evident that such a ban has not deterred people from smoking. The arguments and logic used to justify this crackdown are outdated.


Nicotine is addictive because it is similar to vitamin B3. Without a natural analogue, addiction cannot occur. Vitamin B3 serves as a stress manager and helps manage various conditions. Nicotinic acid or niacin is the natural form of vitamin B3, hence the name "niacin". Nicotine products are often contaminated and this is unacceptable. However, hydroponic tobacco can maintain purity and filter impurities from nicotine. It is chemically basic to understand. Organic tobacco packaged in this way has been imported into the US for years. It appears that the mainstream market is too lazy to implement these solutions.


Helping the black market as usual.


It is hard to imagine anything more effective against organized crime than a smoking ban. The high pricing will inevitably lead to a black market, making tobacco a lucrative source of income for organized crime.


Even from the perspective of the most rigid prohibitionist, there are two mistakes here.


Undoubtedly, as history has shown, implementing a ban often results in achieving the opposite of its intended goals. The original prohibition gave rise to modern organized crime, and the war on drugs has only enriched it. This is just another example of a complete failure. When you make something that people enjoy illegal, it only makes it more appealing to those who seek out forbidden activities, such as young people who are drawn to the excitement and coolness that comes with breaking the law. This is why there is a constant demand for illegal drugs, no matter how harmful they may be, such as cocaine or methamphetamine. Prohibiting the use of nicotine in e-cigarettes will only lead to an increase in demand for it. It is another unnecessary and avoidable problem.


As the black market for tobacco earns billions of dollars, health issues remain unaddressed. It's time to address these concerns.


2FIRSTS will continue to report on this issue, with updates posted on the "2FIRSTS APP." Scan the QR code below to download the app.


This document has been generated through artificial intelligence translation and is provided solely for the purposes of industry discourse and learning. Please note that the intellectual property rights of the content belong to the original media source or author. Owing to certain limitations in the translation process, there may be discrepancies between the translated text and the original content. We recommend referring to the original source for complete accuracy. In case of any inaccuracies, we invite you to reach out to us with corrections. If you believe any content has infringed upon your rights, please contact us immediately for its removal.

Moldova adopts new sanitary rules for tobacco products, e-cigarettes and related goods
Moldova adopts new sanitary rules for tobacco products, e-cigarettes and related goods
Moldova is introducing new sanitary standards for tobacco products, e-cigarettes and related goods, with regulations adopted on January 14 aimed at protecting public health and tightening control over tobacco sales. The rules include measures to limit minors’ access to tobacco products, including via online shops, and establish procedures for notifications, reporting and market monitoring.
Jan.16 by 2FIRSTS.ai
IMiracle  Announces 2025 R&D Progress with Over 2,200 Patent Applications Worldwide
IMiracle Announces 2025 R&D Progress with Over 2,200 Patent Applications Worldwide
IMiracle announces significant R&D progress in 2025, with over 2,200 patent applications globally and 900 authorized patents.
Dec.18 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Cambodia: Phnom Penh authorities seize 2,000+ vape devices and arrest two alleged distributors
Cambodia: Phnom Penh authorities seize 2,000+ vape devices and arrest two alleged distributors
Kiripost reports that authorities seized more than 2,000 electronic smoking devices and arrested two alleged distributors in Phnom Penh’s Toul Kork district, prompting health advocates to warn that inconsistent enforcement is undermining Cambodia’s crackdown on illegal e-cigarettes and shisha.
Jan.13 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Russia proposes extending voluntary labeling pilot for reusable e-cigarettes to Aug. 31, 2026
Russia proposes extending voluntary labeling pilot for reusable e-cigarettes to Aug. 31, 2026
Russia’s Ministry of Industry and Trade has proposed extending a voluntary labeling pilot covering reusable e-cigarettes and similar personal electric vaporizing devices until August 31, 2026. A draft government decree has been published on the unified portal for posting drafts of normative legal acts.
Jan.22 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Multiple E-Cigarette Companies Donate to Support Hong Kong Tai Po Fire Relief (List Updating)
Multiple E-Cigarette Companies Donate to Support Hong Kong Tai Po Fire Relief (List Updating)
Following the fire at Hong Kong’s Tai Po Kwong Fuk Estate, several e-cigarette companies have announced donations for relief and recovery. Current contributions include SMOORE (HKD 5 million), ZINWI Bio (RMB 200,000), Heaven Gifts & GEEKVAPE (HKD 3 million), ALD (RMB 1 million), and OXVA (HKD 500,000). The list is being updated.
Dec.02 by 2FIRSTS.ai
U.S. Fifth Circuit judges question FDA’s claim it has no de facto ban on flavored refillable e-cigarettes
U.S. Fifth Circuit judges question FDA’s claim it has no de facto ban on flavored refillable e-cigarettes
Law360 reports that a Fifth Circuit panel expressed skepticism about the FDA’s claim that it has no de facto ban on flavored refillable e-cigarette products, noting that only six applications had been approved out of hundreds of thousands and that near-100% denials look like a ban.
Jan.07 by 2FIRSTS.ai