The penalties imposed for violating vaping laws across Australia

In Australia e-cigarettes may be purchased normally, however nicotine-containing e-liquids are illegal. In August 2016, a number of health advocates submitted proposals to local regulator Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), to remove nicotine concentrations of below 3.6% from the Poisons Standard.

However, last April, the TGA made its final decision to uphold the ban, arguing that e-cigarette use causes nicotine addiction and can lead to teenagers becoming hooked on tobacco.

The different penalties across the country’s states and territories

Fines and penalties could be charged for a number of reasons, including possession and supplying the products without the authority to do so, and such charges differ according to the state or territory one is in :

Western Australia – A fine of $45,000-00

South Australia – A penalty of $10,000.00

Victoria – Maximum Penalty $15,546.00

Northern Territory – Maximum Penalty $15,400 or imprisonment for 12 months.

Queensland – Maximum Penalty $9,752.00

New South Wales – Maximum Penalty $1,100.00

Tasmania – Maximum Penalty $7850.00 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 2 years.

ACT – Maximum penalty is $30,000, imprisonment for 2 years or both.

Local Health Minister refutes data in favour of the products

Back in July, Australian physicians and psychiatrists separately addressed local authorities, pointing out that smokers should have access to the products that would give them the nicotine hit that they are addicted to, without the other harmful components contained in cigarette smoke.

 

These professionals were not in any way affiliated to the tobacco industry, and had put their arguments forward for the sole purpose of safeguarding the health interests of their patients. However, earlier this month Health Minister Greg Hunt said that he will never lift the ban on e-cigarettes.

A stance that is costing many their lives

Public Health experts keep pointing out that this harsh stance is having serious repercussions, as it is stopping millions of smokers from switching to the safer alternatives that could potentially save their lives. Infact, smoking rates in Australia are still on the rise.

 

In contrast, in the UK, where e-cigarettes have been fully endorsed as smoking cessation tools, smoking rates have dropped to a record breaking low. Thanks to the advent of electronic cigarettes, the UK is now boasting the second lowest smoking rates in Europe.