TV Host Exposed for Using E-Cigarettes on Instagram

Aug.16.2022
TV Host Exposed for Using E-Cigarettes on Instagram
Today Show host Karl Stefanovic was caught holding an e-cigarette on his wife's Instagram post, which is illegal in Australia.

Today, a talk show host was recently exposed on Instagram for holding an electronic cigarette.


Source: BodyAndSoul


Many Australian celebrities appear to be soaking up the sun on a beach somewhere in the south of France or taking a dip in the crystal-clear waters of Sardinia. One such celebrity is Karl Stefanovic, who recently celebrated his 48th birthday overseas and was recently featured in posts by his wife Jasmine Yarbrough while they were visiting Capri, Italy.


However, there was a small detail in the Instagram video that was quickly noticed by keen viewers - Today Show host Karl Stefanovic was holding an electronic cigarette in his left hand.


Although vaping is legal in Australia, it has become increasingly difficult to purchase e-cigarettes that contain nicotine.


As reported by Body+Soul last year, on September 3rd, the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) announced that "from October 1, 2021, you will no longer be able to legally purchase nicotine e-cigarette products, nicotine capsules, and liquid nicotine.


The TGA has reported that youth vaping in Australia has increased by 96% between 2015 and 2019. The evidence suggests that nicotine e-cigarette products act as a gateway to smoking for teenagers, and may have long-term effects on brain development.


As a result, although Australians can still legally purchase nicotine-free electronic cigarettes domestically, they must travel abroad in order to obtain electronic cigarettes containing nicotine. This may seem like something straight out of a spy movie, or perhaps he was simply holding the electronic cigarette for his friends...


According to a report by the Daily Mail, Karl "is enjoying a cheap mint-flavored IGET e-cigarette that is manufactured in China and is illegal in Australia, but not illegal in Europe." The media also added that Karl Stefanovic is often seen holding an e-cigarette and a cigarette (though not at the same time) in his home in Sydney. This is a bad influence on many young people who tune in to Karl Stefanovic every morning.


From epileptic seizures to increased risk of oral cancer, and even to heightened addiction risks (especially among teenagers), there are many indications that electronic cigarettes are far from being a "healthier" version of traditional tobacco cigarettes.


Statement:


This article is compiled from third-party information and is intended for industry professionals for the purpose of learning and exchanging ideas.


This article does not represent the views of 2FIRSTS, and 2FIRSTS cannot confirm the authenticity and accuracy of the article's content. The compilation of this article is solely for industry exchange and research purposes.


Due to the limitations in translation skills, the translated article may not express the original text accurately. Therefore, the original text should be taken as the definitive reference.


2FIRSTS holds a stance completely aligned with the Chinese government on any domestic, Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, and foreign-related issues and representations.


The copyright of compiled information belongs to the original media and author. If there is any infringement, please contact us for deletion.



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.

Japan Survey Finds 49.5% Would Cut Tobacco Use if Prices Rise, 64.6% Show Interest in Nicotine-Free Alternatives
Japan Survey Finds 49.5% Would Cut Tobacco Use if Prices Rise, 64.6% Show Interest in Nicotine-Free Alternatives
A September online survey commissioned by Japanese smoking-accessories company Lightec found that 49.5% of respondents would consider reducing tobacco use if prices rose further, while 25.1% would consider switching to cheaper brands and 14.5% would consider using or combining alternatives such as vapes and nicotine-free herbal sticks. Another 64.6% expressed some level of interest in such alternatives. The survey covered 1,088 respondents aged 20 to 70 and was conducted by a company that sells NICOLESS nicotine-free vaping and herbal-stick products, meaning its findings should not be treated as representative of Japan's smoking population.
DATA
Oct.12
Russia Adds Vapes to “Strategic Goods” List, Illegal Cross-Border Trade Faces Up to Five Years in Prison
Russia Adds Vapes to “Strategic Goods” List, Illegal Cross-Border Trade Faces Up to Five Years in Prison
Russia will place e-cigarettes and related nicotine products under its “strategic goods” framework from August 20, 2026. According to TVP World’s report published on August 19, the newly listed items include e-cigarettes, electronic smoking devices, vape liquids and nicotine salts. Individuals who illegally move these products across Russia’s customs border or its state border with other Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) members could face up to five years in prison if shipment values exceed 100,000 rubles (about €1,000), provided all elements of a criminal offence are established.
Aug.20
Product | SnowPlus Launches Nicotine-Free DASH in South Korea, Localising an Established Disposable Platform
Product | SnowPlus Launches Nicotine-Free DASH in South Korea, Localising an Established Disposable Platform
SnowPlus has introduced a nicotine-free version of DASH in South Korea, adapting an existing overseas disposable platform for the local market. The Korean version retains the series’ flat duckbill-style mouthpiece, ceramic heating architecture and disposable form factor while reducing nicotine content to 0%. By comparison, the overseas DASH 4000 platform typically features 7.5ml of prefilled e-liquid, up to 4,000 puffs and a 530mAh rechargeable battery, with nicotine-containing variants available in some markets. The product update centers on formulation localisation rather than a new hardware generation.
Aug.31
UK HMRC Unveils Red and Yellow Transitional Vape Duty Stamps Ahead of October Tax Launch
UK HMRC Unveils Red and Yellow Transitional Vape Duty Stamps Ahead of October Tax Launch
HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) has released sample images of the UK’s transitional vaping duty stamps, showing red and yellow versions ahead of the new Vaping Products Duty and Vaping Duty Stamps Scheme starting on October 1, 2026. Transitional stamps contain physical security features but no digital scanning function. Approved businesses may purchase them through November 30 and affix them through December 31. HMRC has not stated that the red and yellow samples represent different product categories or tax statuses.
Regulations
Sep.02
Special Report | From New York to Washington: How FDA’s Tobacco Center Is Reworking Product Review
Special Report | From New York to Washington: How FDA’s Tobacco Center Is Reworking Product Review
FDA’s Center for Tobacco Products is reshaping how it approaches tobacco product review. Based on 2Firsts’ on-site reporting in New York and Washington, this report traces CTP’s emerging direction: stronger links between PMTA and tobacco harm reduction, more category-specific review, greater emphasis on decision-relevant science, more predictable timelines and expanded use of sPMTA for product modifications. CTP also acknowledged major constraints, including just nine PMTA review teams, persistent backlogs and limits on hiring capacity.
Regulations
Oct.08
Malaysia Withdraws Appeal Against Liquid Nicotine Ruling as Vape Regulation Framework Enters New Phase
Malaysia Withdraws Appeal Against Liquid Nicotine Ruling as Vape Regulation Framework Enters New Phase
Malaysia’s government has withdrawn its appeal against a High Court ruling concerning the regulatory status of liquid nicotine used in vape and e-cigarette products, according to reports by New Straits Times, Free Malaysia Today and CodeBlue on August 18, 2026. The Kuala Lumpur High Court ruled on May 15 that the government’s decision to remove liquid nicotine from the scheduled poisons list under the Poisons Act 1952 was irrational and made without proper consultation with the Poisons Board. The withdrawal ends the government’s appeal process, while the future regulatory framework for nicotine vape products remains under discussion.
Aug.21