Nicotine vape fight blowing budget

PEOPLE illegally importing, selling and advertising nicotine vapes have been slapped with more than $700,000 in fines in the past year.

However, figures also show the nation’s drug regulator faces a budget blowout as the cost of cracking down on e-cigarettes is expected to climb by 60 per cent on last year.

Health bodies have reignited calls for a national ban of all e-cigarette products, except for smokers with prescriptions, as the number of children vaping continues to climb.

Federal Health Minister Mark Butler and his state counterparts are due to hold talks about e-cigarettes this month.

“The Therapeutic Goods Administration (has) kicked off a public consultation process on nicotine vaping products,” Mr Butler said.

“We need to understand where the current regulatory framework falls short, and what action governments can take to move the dial.”

E-cigarettes that contain nicotine are legal only with a prescription but are readily available on the black market. Many recreational vapes also contain undeclared amounts of nicotine.

The TGA issued almost 100 nicotine vape-related fines, worth $738,000, in the 13 months to November.

Most offences were for illegal advertising, with 10 for importing and supplying. Two in five offences were in Victoria with six people and four businesses hit with $277,000 in fines during that period.

But the TGA forecasts the cost of regulating the products this year will soar to $5.4m – at least $335,000 over its budget allocation – due partly to court proceedings. This is up 60 per cent on the $3.4m spent in 2021-22, which was already $110,000 over budget.

VicHealth chief executive Sandro Demaio said e-cigarettes did not belong on shop shelves.