According to a report by C-store on August 8th, an investigation by the New South Wales (NSW) Parliament in Australia found that illegal sales of e-cigarette products continue to exist due to weak laws in the state.
The report highlights that the sale of illegal nicotine e-cigarette products to children and adults continues, as the highest penalties in New South Wales do not reflect the seriousness of such crimes nor act as a deterrent.
According to the Australian Poisons and Therapeutic Goods Act, the maximum penalty for supplying nicotine e-cigarette products is $1650 and/or six months' imprisonment, and fines cannot be issued on the spot for violations.
Theo Foukkare, CEO of the Australian Association of Convenience Stores (AACS), believes that fines in New South Wales should be consistent with the $2.2 million fine imposed by the federal government for supply to businesses, and that these actions must be classified as criminal offenses.
These findings and recommendations confirm the long-standing calls from AACS to state legislators. I sincerely hope that they will finally listen and take action to prevent these harmful e-cigarettes manufactured in Chinese sweatshops from falling into the hands of Australian children.
We fully support the committee's tough crackdown on these criminals and helping educate our children to prevent them from using e-cigarettes. However, while this is a good start, it is not enough to completely shut down the uncontrolled e-cigarette black market.
Fukare explained that a simple way to shut down the black market is to follow the example of the UK, Canada, New Zealand, and the US by having retailers strictly sell nicotine e-cigarette products manufactured in accordance with regulations to individuals aged 18 and older, similar to tobacco and alcohol.
A study has shown that strict regulations and controls on e-cigarette products intended for adult use only can reduce youth e-cigarette vaping rates by over 65% in the United States and by 19% in New Zealand.
We do not have a teenage tobacco or alcohol crisis because we strictly control the manufacturing and sales of these products, so it is reasonable to take similar measures with e-cigarettes.
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