Australia Cracks Down on Illegal Vaping Product Smuggling
According to The Guardian, Australia’s Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) fined four individuals and companies more than AUD 170,000 (USD 122,740) for illegally promoting or importing vaping products. Since October, Australian users have needed a doct
According to The Guardian, Australia’s Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has fined four individuals and companies more than AUD 170,000 (USD 122,740) for illegally promoting or importing vaping products.
Since October, e-cigarette users in Australia have been required to obtain a doctor’s prescription in order to purchase nicotine-containing vaping devices and e-liquid. Doctors are expected to recommend these products only as a last resort when more established smoking cessation treatments have failed. Concerns over the health effects of vaping, along with data showing increasing use among children, prompted the legal changes.
In response to the new rules, some companies have set up websites offering to connect users with healthcare practitioners authorized to prescribe these products. However, the law allows only pharmacies and pharmacy marketing groups to advertise in a limited way. Non-pharmacy websites promoting vaping products or linking to online suppliers may not comply with nicotine advertising permissions.
The companies fined include Mason Online, RV Global Ecommerce, Vapespot, and an individual based in Melbourne.
Maurice Swanson, chief executive of the Australian Council on Smoking and Health, said he was pleased with the TGA’s action.
“We welcome strong monitoring of illegal advertising that does not comply with the guidance provided by the TGA,” he said. “The TGA’s advertising guidelines are well known and have been widely publicized, so companies cannot claim they were unaware of them.”
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