Australia’s E-cigarette(HNB &Vaping) market, which continues to grow every year, may seem like a calm lake, but beneath the surface there are currents of illegal operations. In addition to branded nicotine, the “Gangsterism” associated with the direct sale of E-cigarettes to teenagers has prompted a review of regulations in Australia. Australia’s federal and state governments are preparing to pass tougher regulations, including new taxes, packaging, border checks, intense police scrutiny and even a complete ban on E-cigarettes.

Illegal nicotine-containing E-cigarettes are now the biggest behavioral problem in Australian schools and, if left unchecked, could become a new national health crisis, according to data reported by local schools. The school even said police should go after those who push E-cigarettes into the community, as organized crime involved in illegal tobacco smuggling expands its pattern to include E-cigarettes(herbal heatsticks supplier).

According to some owners of small convenience stores, they have reported being harassed and intimidated by E-cigarette wholesalers, many of whom import products from third countries such as Malaysia and Indonesia to mask the countries where they are produced. Evading regulation by failing to declare nicotine levels or falsely claiming no nicotine.

Australia’s health minister, Mark Butler, said: “The use of E-cigarettes has exploded over the past few years and much of it is the illicit market. The status quo, which is not only illegally imported and sold, but in most cases specifically targeted at children and young people, is totally unacceptable. At the same time, the plastic and batteries in E-cigarettes cannot be recycled, which causes a lot of pollution to the environment.”

Under laws introduced by the previous Australian Coalition government, nicotine E-cigarettes(heated tabak heasticks) are legal to be sold over the age of 18 and can only be bought from pharmacies with a doctor’s prescription.

However, tens of millions of supposedly nicotine-free E-cigarettes are sold in small convenience stores, and the vast majority of them actually contain varying concentrations of nicotine. The flavors, which include bubblegum, strawberry, mango and kiwi, are aimed squarely at teenagers, while some appeal to consumers, the vast majority of whom are underage, by styling, glowing when inhaled, or by being beautifully neon-colored and fluorescent.

Law enforcement sources say organized crime groups from overseas are involved in the sale of E-cigarettes. Illegal goods crossing the border are an open secret internally, and state police are reluctant to spend the time and effort to enforce the law against these illegal E-cigarettes. Because you can’t see a person using an E-cigarette on the street and go over and check the purchase history and the prescription.

Summary

The real reason why illegal E-cigarettes have taken off in Australia, and why even criminal organizations have taken an interest in the business, is nothing more than a huge profit. And these tactics, such as harassing and opening shops next door to undercut peers and recycling competing products at high prices, also have a taste of a domestic brand. The Australian government should examine whether there is any link behind this.

Finally, as E-cigarettes become more popular, regulation will no longer be a simple issue. Inadequate regulation, excessive regulation, even a total ban will trigger a series of chain reactions. How to make the harm reduction products serve the right group has become a new subject for regulators.