I am surprised that even with recently announced plans to ban recreational vaping in Australia some newsagents have reportedly been pitched to take on the category.
The legal future of recreational vaping is all but dead in Australia, thankfully. That alone should take it off the radar of any retailer. But, as can happen with things that are challenging to access, there can be value for some in carrying the product, even if it is done under the counter.
Given the new regulations outlined by the Health Minister on May 2, 2023, at the National Press Club, there is no legal place for vape products in any retail setting other than behind the prescription counters in pharmacies. That’s the clear message.
Hopefully, this government has acted early enough for Australia to not be shrouded in a vape cloud like in the UK, where on the high street even few shops is either a vape shop or a betting shop.
I agree but I know of shops near me that do, under the counter usually.
A Google Maps search for “Vaporizer Store” will show 1000s of shops across the country, many with “vape” right there in the name. And that doesn’t include tobacconists, convenience stores and other businesses that are selling vapes.
I saw a convenience store few weeks ago in Brisbane’s Fortitude Valley that was openly displaying vapes at the counter (and after seeing the attractive packaging, colors and flavors these vapes depicted I can see why so many young people are getting hooked)