The Australian Retailers Association has announced the dissolution of vaping body, the Australian Retail Vaping Industry Association (ARVIA).
ARA CEO Paul Zahra said the decision by the ARA Council in August to immediately dissolve ARVIA reflected a new direction the ARA was taking on the issue of tobacco and nicotine.
"Whilst the ARA recognises the rights of Australian consumers to purchase and use tobacco and vaping products, we don't believe advocacy for these products and services is an appropriate focus for ARA resources, or the right alignment with our brand moving forwards," said Mr Zahra.
The ARA jointly established ARVIA in 2019 as a mechanism for supporting the legalisation of nicotine vaping products within Australia.
"Until last week's interim decision by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) to only allow the sale of nicotine-containing products by pharmacies and online e-cigarette to consumers with a valid prescription, vaping essentials and accessories that contained nicotine, have been banned in Australia," said Mr Zahra.
