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 The arguments and logic used to justify this crackdown are outdated.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.

PMI Faces Setback in India: Global Regulatory Fragmentation Complicates Its Smoke-Free Transition
PMI Faces Setback in India: Global Regulatory Fragmentation Complicates Its Smoke-Free Transition
India has reaffirmed its 2019 ban on e-cigarettes and heated tobacco devices, effectively blocking Philip Morris International (PMI) from launching IQOS in the country despite years of lobbying. Together with Taiwan, China’s conditional opening of heated tobacco products, and Japan’s planned 2026 excise tax hikes, these moves highlight increasingly divergent national regulatory pathways—an external uncertainty shaping PMI’s smoke-free growth trajectory.
Feb.12
From Tamarind’s AI Shift to Industry Restructuring, The ‘Amazon Moment’ for Nicotine Is Approaching
From Tamarind’s AI Shift to Industry Restructuring, The ‘Amazon Moment’ for Nicotine Is Approaching
Tamarind Intelligence’s decision to appoint a technology-sector executive as chief executive officer signals more than a leadership reshuffle at a specialist data firm. It reflects a broader structural shift across the global nicotine industry, where companies, regulators and intelligence providers are embedding artificial intelligence into core operations.
Special Report
Feb.18
West Virginia Bill Seeks to Replace Per-mL Vape Liquid Tax With 50% Sales-Price Tax
West Virginia Bill Seeks to Replace Per-mL Vape Liquid Tax With 50% Sales-Price Tax
West Virginia proposes tax rate adjustments on e-cigarette devices and e-liquids, with penalties for late reporting. Effective from July 1, 2026.
Feb.02 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Product | Clear Tank, Airflow Control and Three-Dimension Flavor Labels: RELX Launches Disposable DIVA in South Korea
Product | Clear Tank, Airflow Control and Three-Dimension Flavor Labels: RELX Launches Disposable DIVA in South Korea
RELX has recently launched its disposable e-cigarette, the RELX DIVA, on online channels in South Korea, offering two nicotine strengths of 0.98% and 1.98%. Publicly available information shows the device features a 20 mL e-liquid capacity and is rated for around 30,000 puffs, alongside a 750 mAh rechargeable battery and two power modes—BOOST and ECO—at approximately 16W and 13W, respectively.
Feb.05 by 2FIRSTS.ai
U.S. FDA Posts Final ZYN MRTP Materials, Sets March 4 Deadline for Public Comments
U.S. FDA Posts Final ZYN MRTP Materials, Sets March 4 Deadline for Public Comments
U.S. FDA has released the final batch of materials for ZYN MRTP applications and set March 4 (11:59 p.m. ET) as the deadline for public comments to be considered in the agency’s review.
Feb.03 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Product | 30ml E-Liquid, 40,000 Puffs, and Three Power Settings: OXBAR Launches New DTL Product ROVOTA
Product | 30ml E-Liquid, 40,000 Puffs, and Three Power Settings: OXBAR Launches New DTL Product ROVOTA
E-cigarette brand OXBAR has launched its new DTL e-cigarette, the OXBAR ROVOTA, on its official website. The product contains 30ml of e-liquid and is officially rated for up to approximately 40,000 puffs. It has a nicotine strength of 6mg and offers around 15 flavor options. The device is equipped with a 1400mAh battery, supports Type-C charging, features a 0.4Ω dual mesh coil, and supports three power settings of 20W, 30W, and 40W.
Mar.31 by 2FIRSTS.ai