The Herald Sun reported on July 2 that unscrupulous e-cigarette sellers across Melbourne are continuing to sell e-cigarettes on the black market despite the threat of jail time and millions of dollars in fines, in defiance of draconian new laws.
Australia was the first country to crack down on the sale of e-cigarettes outside pharmacies. From yesterday, businesses selling e-cigarettes face up to seven years in prison and fines of up to $2.2 million.
Businesses can also be fined up to $21.9 million for each breach. However, a Herald Sun reporter visited a number of stores in Melbourne's CBD on Monday night and found that merchants can still easily sell e-cigarettes without the need for a prescription or identity verification.
(Image source: Herald Sun)
At least 50 customers were found to have purchased these illegal goods at seven vape shops in the CBD. A store on Lonsdale St with a wide range of brands of e-cigarettes and price tags.
The clerk revealed that despite the new law, he continued to sell as usual.
"Nothing has changed for us, we will continue to sell e-cigarettes," he told The Herald Sun.
At Elizabeth St, a tobacco shop is also selling e-cigarettes in flavors like watermelon, grape, and more. Customers were asked to hide e-cigarettes in their pockets or carry them out of the store in black plastic bags.
(Image source: Herald Sun)
The other two stores on the street also sell e-cigarettes openly, and the clerks even offer cash discounts to customers.
Outside a store on Swanston St, reporters saw discarded e-cigarettes and packaging. Despite warning on Sunday that Victoria would be subject to "strict enforcement", the businesses are blatantly violating the new law.
"It's going to be a Victorian police level operation, but as the Director of Education, I can say that we understand all forms of tobacco and how addictive e-cigarettes can be," he said. ”
Under the Therapeutic Goods Act, the new criminal offence and civil penalty provisions apply to imported, domestically manufactured, supplied, commercially held, and advertised e-cigarette products, except in certain circumstances.
(Image source: Herald Sun)
A Victorian Police spokesperson said e-cigarettes were primarily a health issue and that "Victorian Police is committed to responding to all types of offences, but prioritising the allocation of resources to prevent and respond to the crimes that are most harmful to society," she said.
"Victorian Police also occasionally conduct targeted enforcement actions against businesses that illegally sell e-cigarettes, particularly those linked to organised crime." Meanwhile, a Victorian government spokesperson said: "We will continue to work with the Commonwealth and other states and territories to implement these new reforms. ”
"Victorian Police has the power to inspect, seize and enforce illegal sales of e-cigarettes and tobacco products, and the federal government will soon grant new enforcement powers under the Therapeutic Goods Act in all jurisdictions."
The federal government announced last week that it would adjust its e-cigarette policy from October to allow adults to buy e-cigarettes from pharmacies without a doctor's prescription.
(Image source: Herald Sun)
In an effort to gain Greens' support in the Senate, Health Minister Mark Butler has weakened the new strict e-cigarette ban, removing the requirement to require a prescription. Meanwhile, major pharmacy chain Blooms the Chemist informed its pharmacists that it would not support over-the-counter e-cigarette sales due to health risks.