2GB’s Ben Fordham calls it: stopping illegal vapes is like ‘stopping the wind’, and it’s time to regulate them like cigarettes

For immediate release

Statement from Brian Marlow, Campaign Director, Legalise Vaping

25 September 2023

The penny is dropping.

Australia’s top-rating talkback host this morning made the case for authorities, admitting the black market in illegal vaping products is out of control.

He said: “They’re not going to be able to stop the vapes. It’s like trying to stop the waves or the wind. They are here to stay. So you’re better off just saying all right, let’s treat them like cigarettes – which means we tax them, we regulate them, and we have a say over what’s in them and the conditions of their sale.”

Marketing restrictions, product standards, licenses for retailers, and heavy fines for selling to minors – these are the answers to cleaning up the black market that is selling to Australian youths.

For too long, Australian authorities have been in denial about the scale of illegal activity around e-cigarettes in Australia. Health Minister Mark Butler is persisting with doubling down on a strategy that has already been proven to fail.

The Minister has not put forward any credible details to back his various announcements. He has not secured any agreements from the states, who will need to do the bulk of enforcement. He has not clarified where the funding will come from, where it will be allocated, or what the cost will be. 

Alcohol prohibition in the United States – which used the same prescription-only model that Labor is doubling down on for vaping products – categorically failed by creating an easily accessible rampant unregulated black market run by criminals.

Over 70% of Australians believe vaping products should be regulated like cigarettes and alcohol yet Labor continues to double down on an unworkable prohibition model that is only fueling Australia’s youth vaping crisis.

The Minister continues to secure headlines for his rhetoric but the Albanese Government has no credible plan to protect young Australians from the criminals that are flooding the streets with dodgy products.

More and more Australians are coming around to this position that tough but intelligent regulation is the only practical path forward. We look forward to more coming to the same realisation.

Brian Marlow is available for interviews mobile