TGA and Victoria Police working together to target illegal vape sales in Melbourne
September 26, 2025 by tga.gov.au
TGA and Victoria Police working together to target illegal vape sales in Melbourne
A two-day blitz on Chapel Street retailers by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) and Victoria Police resulted in the seizure of over $40,000 worth of illegal vaping products and more than 24,000 nicotine pouches. Police also confiscated 110,000 illicit cigarettes, 40 kg of loose tobacco, and cash. The crackdown, part of the National Vaping Enforcement Framework, aims to combat the illegal supply of vaping goods and disrupt organised crime. The TGA emphasised the importance of protecting young people’s health, while Victoria Police highlighted that illicit tobacco profits often fund violent crimes such as arson, firearms use, and extortion.
11.00% of the adult population are current smokers. There are approximately 2.4 million current smokers in Australia 12.90% of men are current smokers but only 9.30% of women.
SOURCE: GSTHR