Victoria 'failing the whole nation' in enforcement of anti-vaping measures

Vapes are only legally available from pharmacies in Victoria, but there is a large black market. (ABC News: Georgia Loney)

Quit has launched a new campaign warning young people of the health dangers posed by vaping.

Anti-vaping advocates say tobacco inspectors in Victoria do not have enough powers to stop illegal vape products.

Up to 80 per cent of nicotine products consumed in Australia last year, including vapes, were estimated to be illegal.

Anti-vaping advocates and public health experts argue Victoria's laws and enforcement are inadequate to crack down on a flood of imported illegal products being sold to fuel potentially dangerous addictions.

The Victorian government this week introduced new laws into parliament which would give police the power to close shops for 90 days if they're found to be selling illegal tobacco.

Quit Victoria is a partnership between VicHealth, Cancer Council Victoria and the Victorian government.

The organisation's director, Rachael Andersen, told the ABC that Quit believes the illegal tobacco laws should encompass illegal vapes.

Quit director Rachael Andersen says vaping is most likely to be taken up by younger people, who are not always aware of the health risks. (Supplied)

Vaping products can only legally be sold in pharmacies in Victoria, with pharmacists required to direct those customers to cessation support services.

Australian Border Force has seized an estimated 19.4 million illegal vaping products, worth just over $1 billion, since federal vaping laws were reformed in January 2024.

The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) also removed 2.2 million unlawful vaping products from the community, worth $110.5 million, during that time.

Ms Andersen said illicit vaping products were generally sold alongside illicit tobacco, and widely available in the community.

Recent research has identified health concerns linked to vape products. (ABC News)

"There's a lot of red tape around the capacity of the Victorian tobacco licensing workforce to be able to effectively enforce what happens when illegal vaping products are found on a premises," she said.

"We would really encourage governments to look a bit broader whilst that legislation is changing to consider how it can be further strengthened to be able to capture action on vaping."

An estimated 80 per cent of the cigarettes and nicotine products consumed last year, including vapes, were illegal, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

University of Melbourne professor of public health Michelle Jongenelis said Victoria's laws fell short when it came t