On 29 August 2023, the Therapeutic Goods Administration executed multiple warrants on storage units and residences in Brisbane and seized over 40,000 vaping products with an estimated street value of over $1.2 million.
This was part of a major crime investigation into money laundering, illicit tobacco and nicotine vaping products involving the Queensland Crime and Corruption Commission, Queensland Police, Queensland Health, Australian Border Force and the Australian Taxation Office.
The TGA warrants were conducted as part of its ongoing investigations into alleged importation of unapproved nicotine vaping products. The seized products are alleged to be prescription medicines that were not included on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG).
The products will be tested in the TGA laboratories for scheduled and other dangerous ingredients. Nicotine vaping products that are not imported or supplied under a TGA approved pathway pose a significant public health risk, with many tested by the TGA laboratories found to contain dangerous and undeclared chemicals.
Further ongoing investigation by the TGA and partner agencies may result in enforcement action, including the issuing of infringement notices or the commencement of court proceedings. Penalties for illegal importation or supply of unapproved therapeutic goods are up to 5 years imprisonment and/or up to $1.25 million.
On 2 May 2023, the Minister for Health and Aged Care announced that the Australian Government is taking strong action to combat the supply of unlawful vaping products.
Consumers are reminded that nicotine vaping products are a prescription-only medicine. Appropriate treatment options involving prescription medicines should only be determined between a doctor and their patient in consultation. These products may not be right for you and those purchased illegally could be counterfeit or contain undeclared and hazardous active ingredients.
If you suspect non-compliance in relation to therapeutic goods, you can report illegal or questionable practices or suspected non-compliant advertising online to the TGA.
