MDNE Enterprises and an executive officer fined and directed to cease alleged unlawful advertising of nicotine vaping products

The Therapeutic Goods Administration has issued a direction to MDNE Enterprises Pty Ltd and an executive officer to cease promoting the use and supply of nicotine vaping products to the Australian public.

The company was also issued 2 infringement notices totalling $26,640 and the executive officer was issued with 5 infringement notices totalling $13,320 for the alleged unlawful advertising.

The executive officer was warned by the TGA in relation to two websites advertising nicotine vaping products. While both websites were removed, a third website, allegedly controlled by MDNE Enterprises Pty Ltd was not removed. The third website hosted similar advertising and promoted wholesale supply of nicotine vaping products.

The alleged unlawful advertising used social media marketing including influencers to promote nicotine vaping products, including to teenagers and young adults.

Nicotine vaping products are prescription only medicines and must not be advertised to Australian consumers unless the advertising meets the conditions of the Therapeutic Goods (Restricted and Prohibited Representations - Nicotine) Permission (No. 2) 2021 which enables retail pharmacies and pharmacy marketing groups to state that they stock nicotine vaping products for smoking cessation purposes, but does not permit broader advertising.

If you suspect non-compliance in relation to nicotine vaping products, you can report illegal or questionable practices online to the TGA. The TGA encourages the reporting of suspected non-compliant advertising.

Contact for members of the media:

• Email: news@health.gov.au
• Phone: 02 6289 7400