Australia’s new vape laws are risking a looming budget blowout, as more than half a million seized devices need to be destroyed by hand.
The Australian Border Force (ABF) has confiscated 559,000 vapes since a ban on their import came into effect on January 1.
But they must be taken apart individually because the ABF does not have access to a machine that would separate the cardboard packaging, battery and liquid cartridge from the devices.
Health Minister Mark Butler, who brought in the new laws, said the ABF was seeking a tender to find a supplier to dispose of the vapes.
Federal opposition health spokeswoman Anne Ruston said Mr Butler should find the cash to dispose of the vapes.
“We are really concerned that this is another example of the Government making headline announcements without considering the unintended consequences,” she said.
“The black market in both illegal tobacco and vapes is thriving and is largely driven by organised crime syndicates.”
The ban on importing vapes was the first step in Mr Butler’s battle with the product.
New legislation has been put before parliament that would stop the sale of vapes, except at pharmacies for people who have a GP prescription.
The ABF was given a $25 million budget boost last year to deal with the import laws, but that included detection and storage.
It was expected that the cost of disposing of vapes would soar past the allocated budget at a time when Treasuer Jim Chalmers was under pressure to deliver an overall budget surplus.
Vape stores have become increasingly common across Australia, with an explosion of outlets in Victoria and New South Wales.
Industry has been resisting regulation of vapes arguing for regulation so they can be used as a quit-smoking aid.
Mr Butler has rejected the campaign, saying: “The only groups who want to regulate and sell vaping products are those who profit once kids get hooked on nicotine – Big Tobacco and tobacco retailers.
“Vape shops are deliberately setting up down the road from schools, it’s an industry targeting their product to our most vulnerable kids.”
The Australian Medical Association and the Cancer Council have backed the vape reforms.
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There are fears that the product could create a new generation of people addicted to nicotine after decades of declining smoking rates.
The ABF said in a statement: “From 1 January to 14 April 2024, the Australian Border Force has made 3944 detections of vape products at the border, containing over 559,000 vape devices and more than 72,000 vape accessories.
“The destruction of vaping products is complex as vapes contain a mixture of hazardous components including lithium batteries, electronics containing heavy metals and hazardous liquid.”
Originally published as Why the vape ban will cost Australians
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