Australia Bans Vapes But Can You Still Get Them?

Australia's tough new vaping laws have come into effect, which means no more vapes, right?
We sent off our very own Sam Taunton and Michael Hing to test out how strict these new rules are.
#VapeCrackdown #Vapes #VapeLaws

[@MrRandyfive]

It's funny.... Selling vapes is $200,000 but.... Selling heroin, ice , steroids or other hard drugs is a 3 month good behaviour bond...., hmmmmmm.

[@VapeAu]

It's the same people selling them, currently vapes make more than any drug.

[@mnm8818]

Funny as well, Drs need to be certified to prescribe Vapes. No Dr near me are lol!!! So you can even get a prescription anyway

[@VapeAu]

@@mnm8818 clinic's online

[@VapeAu]

​@@mnm8818 online clinics,

[@ancientalian729]

This is the only crime in Your country? Lol. Its all about tobacco tax baby.

[@seiner0ne]

It's f*cking ridiculous, I switched to vapes because I didn't want to smoke cigarettes anymore but it's like I have no choice now. I don't want to have to go into a chemist for a vape. All the government cares about is money

[@matthall113]

Exactly!!!!

[@mnm8818]

​​​@@seiner0neyeah I asked a chemist/ pharmacist, felt like I'm asking if they sell cocaine- so I just went to Woolies to buy cigs, no need prescription lol

[@chrisshim7429]

They saw the market potential, and decided to monetize and receive tax on it. Pharmacy at this point is just a legalized drug store that government gets a share on

[@robgreenwell2961]

so why not just tax vapes in vape stores?

[@VapeAu]

Nicotine is medical and just ask how much most save on everyday medication? This is only a problem if you abuse medicine

[@thvtsydneylyf3th077]

@@robgreenwell2961 because its harder to regulate smoke shops then a pharmacy. Its all about control. it started with our guns.

[@SarsaparillaJANE]

@@VapeAu I'm actually against stocking these in pharmacies (who incidentally DONT want to become drug dealers.) But can you please share with us the medicinal benefits of nicotine, and in what medical settings it is used.

[@VapeAu]

@@SarsaparillaJANE to give you the BEST understanding of the science I would recommend you go watch the documentary 'you don't know nicotine' For Australia it's a treatment to quit SMOKING which the government supports, they don't support abuse of the drug

[@lesleyevans4753]

Well now most of the kids at our high school are now smoking but the government doesn’t care about them because they’re getting the tax

[@JohnMcGillivray-u4b]

The only reason the government does not want people to VAPE is because they are missing out on the tobacco tax money which they waste like all taxpayer's money.

[@VapeAu]

The only reason so many are addicted is because the tobacco industry gave vapes salts

[@nathanreid2274]

​@@VapeAuwhat do you mean by that, are you talking about nicotine salts compared to freebase nicotine?.

[@VapeAu]

@@nathanreid2274 yes. there is around 20 different acids used, the weakest is 2x while the strongest is 10x stronger then freebase. Not including the higher mg used so double it, now the max is 20x stronger

[@EpicCrust]

@@VapeAuyou have no idea lol

[@VapeAu]

@@EpicCrust yes I don't know what I'm talking about, I worked in the industry as an e liquid mixer and I lost my job because people wanna call me misinformation.

[@matthewpetersen9791]

Thanks for calling vapers 'degenerates'. This is a serious issue for the 1.7 million australians who vape. Pull your heads in.

[@Lukestaaaa]

I tried to quit smoking so many times, I tried Champix, patches, gum and the spray, and every combination of these methods and nothing worked. Smoking controlled my life, and sure, vaping does too, but I don't cough constantly anymore, I have more energy and I'm not spending $45 a day. I genuinely can't believe that I can go to any servo to buy cigarettes, but I can't buy a vape. Force me to quit, I might even appreciate it, but ban both, because I know I'll be running to the nearest 7/11 as soon as my last vape runs out

[@arclux]

Meanwhile, they are decriminalising a number of hard drugs. Really makes you think about what their real motivations are.

[@carlaburgers3088]

Control of people who have fun

[@summia988]

No they actually want all the millions of new youth vapers to go on cigarettes as the tax brings in more money to government pockets so yeh it's all about control and if it really is about the health and damage reasons then maybe ban alcohol aswell as there is more crime committed from someone drunk then someone just had a cig or a vape. Government are showing their true colours. All they want is your money and to enslave you by them controlling.

[@JiffyJ5]

Money, money makes the world go round 😂

[@mazikbox]

Ban alcohol too then😂

[@crazyjohn4504]

Why don't you do a story on the peer reviewed research on the benfits of vaping over cigs instead of blowing big tobacco on your knees.

[@ossiedunstan4419]

Why don't you post a link to that non existent study. You do know that the studies are payed for by tobacco companies and china who is the manufacturer of vapes, Australia rejected fentanyl so china is using vapes to cut our population down before they invade, Get an education.

[@VapeAu]

Because THAT'S THE ISSUE, NO ONE LISTENS TO VAPERS WHEN CRYING TOBACCO. the people want FACTS about vaping and ONLY VAPING

[@nathanreid2274]

They won't do that because of the powers to be, as in the big media moguls because they can't be seen going against the government.

[@Houseofpheromones0]

the glazing is next level for big tobacco

[@johnblocki]

Arn't vapes are an option to try and get off cigarettes and break the smoking habit just like nicotine gum and sprays? If the government was serious about health, they should ban ridiculously adictive and toxic cigarettes. Instead of continually jacking up the price on siggys where the poor schmucks who they hooked on them 70 years ago, in cahoots with big tabacco now find it near impossible to get off of them. Smoking addiction is an illness, and the poor and addicted are an easy target for government revenue.

[@cbbforever]

😂, shame on Australia government

[@navajojohn9448]

Wonder if vapes will become a violent and untaxed black market like drugs and cigarettes.

[@ruprect8858]

Perhaps that is what they are hoping for, we are already a joke overseas with what our drug wars have become.

[@SOulDie22]

It already is ran by crime gangs just look at the firebombing of 80 tobacco stores just in the last year, this will just make it worse

[@SarsaparillaJANE]

Yes, absolutely this will happen. It's akin to prohibition so of course gangsters will take advantage, just as they did during alcohol prohibition in the 1920s-30s.

[@VapeAu]

​@@SarsaparillaJANE bans don't happen because everyone was being law abiding 😂 people get what they want then complain about it,poke poke poke ahh why is the bear after me 😂

[@wosamosman9814]

It will be like the tobacco wars 😅😂.

[@calvinwalker1781]

amazing how nicotine patches and gum are not even behind the counter in woolworths. on the shelf in the aisle. thought it was a controlled drug.

[@VapeAu]

Yeah nicotine can't be that addictive if people aren't stealing gum etc, I do understand that salts is a different ball game though

[@DefunctYompelvert]

For something considered a toxic poison and evil by mainstream science it’s kinda funny. Oh but caffeine is so beneficial

[@VapeAu]

@@DefunctYompelvert well considering caffeine vapes was PERFECTLY legal in Australia NO ONE CARED, that's because it's impossible to vape the amount a coffee has. On the other hand if you drink nicotine like coffee, YOU'RE DEAD

[@OkZz2nvTaP]

If the government cares about our health so much they should ban cigarettes as well but they wouldn’t coz that’s the best way they make money off us

[@he.5865]

The problem isn't with health. It's with informed consent.

[@andrewthomas695]

They could raise tax on vapes too. But they didn't. So I don't get your argument.

[@rosdykalat2620]

@@he.5865 What does that even mean ???

[@philliptissizis7175]

@@andrewthomas695not enough tax mate, cheaper if they make the product themselves, they shut the whole industry down so they can run a vape business within pharmacies

[@ruprect8858]

@@rosdykalat2620 You can sky dive, you can do lots of dangerous things if you choose to but for some reason these goon bag drinking middle class who control the media think this is different.

[@giotek8]

14b per annum.... yup, all about your safety.....

[@navajojohn9448]

How many have died from vaping? Drugs? Car crashes? Obesity? Alcohol?

[@repairman2be250]

You have to be 18 for tobacco and liquor, but you can drive a car at 17!

[@bee669]

Nicotine vapes zero worldwide.

[@jamesaustralian9829]

When you criminalise and over tax things - you only achieve their presence and price in the black market.

[@IrlamOz]

The vape stores would have been better to legislate hands down keep ciggies n vapes seperate

[@chrissy93x]

The whole point of a vape store was so people could pick or choose a vape / style and flavour and source their Nicotine for the E liquid. Disposable vapes were a cheaper alternative but still worked... this is ridiculous that Pharmacies / Chemist Warehouse is now going to sell them and it wouldnt surprise me if its Prescription based... Honestly this whole thing is another government scheme they could crack down on Alcohol but instead they went after the ciggies & vapes... what a joke lol The government is the only body profiteering off this

[@mnm8818]

Drs need to be certified to prescribe Vapes. None are or very very few, I'm in Sydney I haven't found one yet. So I can't even buy vapes legally still. Black market for me

[@IrlamOz]

@mnm8818 try quithero .com your welcome

[@IrlamOz]

@@mnm8818 will cost u 20 bux for your script and grant u access to their store

[@cbbforever]

Then I will turn to smoke tobacco，oh health!🎉

[@tomstephen5689]

Commies

[@vkham9944]

Do we need tabbaco shops ?? No. Politicians are clowns. 🤡

[@jamesaustralian9829]

Do you get to decide what people over 18 do - NO

[@trev777]

Smoking cigs is still legal. Silly.

[@ronmalloy8504]

I've been vaping for 14 years and feel great vaping saved my life and my doctor agrees with me,

[@zamtime]

Sure it has nothing to do with the $2b they had to write down on the budget because tobacco sales are down?

[@trevorobrien2612]

Maybe just let them vape

[@majestikvisions]

Sad that you still don't realise that it's more about the 12 billion from tobacco related taxes (2021-2022), and less about people's health.

[@brendonrookes1151]

So when are cigarettes gona be sold only in chemist? There not well they clearly arnt doing it for our well being

[@Jetsboy69]

Tobacco still on sale and legal.

[@ImperialKnight86]

Great. The biker gangs are going to love this.

[@chosenone2964]

Adults telling other adults they can't use tobacco. That's criminal. Yall need to wake up, next it will be something else

[@VapeAu]

No, adults telling doctors otherwise needs to WAKE UP. Most who vape listen to the industry, not the health professionals

[@navajojohn9448]

A political priority?

[@ruprect8858]

Middle class snobbery going after what they tactfully call a ‘working class’ problem.

[@kevh2778]

It’s not only cigarette shops that are selling vapes, businesses lost a lot of money during Covid, it’s an easy way to make extra cash !!!

[@locojazzhands]

I'd rather people vape around me than smoke cigarettes. There must be a lot more money in tobacco rhan vaping. It just goes to show how pharmacies are allowed to sell contraband products legally but anyone else that tries is a criminal. Do as we say, not as we do.

[@ss-th9pf]

I am pharmacist in Australia. I also vape. You're absolutely right. However, this what we Aussies get for worshiping the wealthy and the powerful and never checking their powers and silencing or mocking anyone who does.

[@gyibAJ]

You guys are so lucky, QLD is out of lush ice, I’m still waiting for labor to sell some their seized stocks to black market

[@CummiesnFarties]

Albo is keeping them for his coke and pinga party he is DJIng at in September

[@TheWheelman298]

I literally just got a bunch online, and the local convinence store still has them, there is no way im gonna be unable to get them.

[@NoQualmsTheArtist]

The veev vapes sold at chemists are made by Phillip Morris, the tobacco giant. This all smells a bit fishy 🦨

[@Legalthccartstore0]

*If you have a prescription, yes. Otherwise you will need to buy illegally imported ones.*

[@carlaburgers3088]

The Government shows it's hypocrisy

[@CDubya.82]

Ban cigarettes too then. I smell a hypocritical ruling here.

[@EpicCrust]

Wanted to come back to Australia but really reconsidering it now.

[@koalabearqld]

Australia should be more dead serious about building homes for the homeless and less on telling adults to stop vaping like we're children! Available all over the world except in the nanny state country of Australia!

[@alexwood7753]

Anybody here got a tobacco connection? God bless, friends.

[@andywesterveld3953]

U can use them but cant buy it this world is getting mad bro

[@AWF1000]

Imagine going to jail 7 years for this. So what are you in for? I was caught Vaping.

[@VapeAu]

It being funny is why it's serious, in jail the hardest addictions are in there but nothing makes them scream more than not having nicotine. People be proud of quitting meth but smoke/vape 24/7

[@davidharvey321]

@@VapeAu Very good point, just remembering some of the riots from goal ciggy bans.

[@richardbehan8118]

We need public vaping rooms.

[@AngusBrady-st2gi]

If the a will there all ways a way .

[@petersewell149]

So glad i never vaped... Bring back the $15 Winfield 25's,

[@crispyzombieanimation5348]

Now the Hell's angels have taken over the tobacco portfolio from the government I expect cheap vapes and smokes for everyone 🎉🎉🎉

[@VapeAu]

As long as the black market offers medical rebates and discounts 😂 Just because the product is cheaper doesn't mean shipping is free

[@peter12488]

when you buy Cigarettes or Vapes you pay GST, and you can safely drive home,. you can buy drugs with no GST "Oh and we will test them for you to check if they are safe" and then because you are not quite with it and you drive home

[@andrewbax6761]

Funny the vapes they brought are already illegal, nicotine vapes 😂

[@matty_isthemotto]

Would be every shop if you didnt have a camera man following you

[@stupud818]

Vapes stopped me smoking ciggie. So now I gotta go back to the darts. Screw you laws

[@kurteverson7632]

Take the opportunity to quit, i went from darts to vapes then couldnt get one for a couple of days, so I took the opportunity to quit. Quitting vapes felt easier than the previous attempts at quiting smoking.

[@stupud818]

@kurteverson7632 I've tried. I'm only a light user now. It's the acting of smoking/vaping that is hard to break for me not the actual nicotine. Hopefully I can get nicotine free vapes as the next step to quitting

[@CummiesnFarties]

@@stupud818just buy some pg and vg and flavour and mix it yourself.