How black markets work
and why they matter to you
WHAT IS A BLACK MARKET?
Even with the Albanese Government’s new vape rules, illegal devices are still available in Australia.
That’s because organised crime groups are importing cheap, illegal vapes.
Criminals will sell vapes however they can, to anyone who will buy.
That includes young Australians who should not have easy access to these products.
Why is the government wasting millions of dollars on a vape ban that won’t work?
Typical black market operators
Organised crime groups have created sophisticated networks to get illegal vapes into Australia.
Most illegal vapes imported into the country are made in China.
These vapes are not subject to any Australian product standards.
The only purpose of these illegal vapes in Australia is to make money for criminals.
There is a better way:
Strictly regulate vapes,
just like tobacco and alcohol.
Health Minister Mark Butler is telling the Australian public that he can tackle the problems with vaping through bans.
But bans on vapes haven’t worked in any other country. Why will it work here?
Vaping rates have increased by 349% in the last five years.
And it is still growing quickly. 90,000 more Australians started vaping in the three months between November 2023 and January 2024.
The government is throwing millions of dollars in taxpayers’ money at this untested approach when there is a much simpler, less expensive, and proven solution that everyone can get behind in strictly regulating vape sales just like tobacco and alcohol.
WHY THIS matters NOW
Vaping Incidence in Australia among 18+ population
% of total population
Source: Roy Morgan (2024)
LEt ministers know
The Prime Minister, Treasurer, Home Affairs Minister and the Health Minister all want sensible vaping policy that will put a stop to the vape black market, to keep illegal devices out of children’s hands. Tell them what you think.
