TGA seizes 70,000 vapes in NSW
On 28 September 2023, the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) executed warrants on two storage units in Sydney and seized more than 70,000 vaping products with an estimated street value in excess of $2.1 million.
The TGA warrants were executed as part of ongoing investigations into the alleged importation of unapproved nicotine vaping products. The seized products are alleged to be prescription medicines that were not included, or otherwise exempt from inclusion, in the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG).
The Australian Border Force (ABF) supported the warrant activity and the TGA’s ongoing investigations.
The products will be tested at 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.
Penalties for the illegal importation or supply of counterfeit or unapproved therapeutic goods is up to five years’ imprisonment and/or a financial penalty of 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. In August and September 2023, the TGA seized in excess of 130,000 vaping products from several premises across NSW and QLD with a combined street value of $3.9 million.
The TGA is continuing to work collaboratively with the ABF to disrupt the importation of unlawful nicotine 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.
Contact for members of the media:
- Email: news@health.gov.au
- Phone: 02 6289 7400
-
TGA seizes 40,000 vapes as part of multi-agency operation in Queensland
On 29 August 2023, the TGA 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 -
TGA seizes more than 55,000 potentially dangerous products with the assistance of NSW Police
On 22 February the TGA, with the assistance of NSW Police, executed 3 search warrants connected to an individual operating in the Newcastle area of New South Wales. -
Queensland individual fined nearly $16,000 after allegedly importing unregistered nicotine vaping products
It is alleged that the individual attempted to import six different types of nicotine vaping products (prescription medicines). The unapproved nicotine vaping products were intercepted by the Australian Border Force and have been seized and will be destroyed under advice from the TGA.