Nearly $300,000 worth of illegal vapes and tobacco have been seized in South Australia since 1 July as part of a massive crackdown to fight the rising youth vaping epidemic.
This crackdown is part of a $16 million investment over four years to combat illegal vaping and tobacco sales, and it’s already showing results.
Consumer and Business Services (CBS) has conducted more than 200 inspections and seized a staggering amount of illicit products, including over 150,000 cigarettes, 23 kg of loose tobacco, 135 kg of shisha and 3,495 vapes.
These efforts are aimed at disrupting the supply chain and making life difficult for criminal vape dealers.
The urgency of this crackdown is underscored by alarming figures showing a sharp rise in vaping among young South Australians. According to the 2023 Population Health Survey Module System, the number of 15 to 29-year-olds currently using e-cigarettes has nearly doubled in just one year, jumping from 8.4 per cent in 2022 to 15.1 per cent in 2023. For the first time, there are more e-cigarette users than smokers in this age group.
The multi-faceted approach
The South Australian government’s crackdown on vaping combines enforcement, education, and support. CBS has taken over the licensing and enforcement duties from SA Health, with 20 extra officers recruited to target retailers who flout the law, particularly those who sell to minors.
This move, which aligns with new federal laws banning all vape sales outside pharmacies, is part of a broader strategy to keep these harmful products out of the hands of young people.
South Australia has also introduced new laws to create smoke and vape-free zones in public places like beaches, schools and shopping centres — laws which are being enforced with on-the-spot fines and prosecution penalties to protect the community from the harmful effects of vaping.
Are vapes really that bad?
Yes, they are.
Vaping has landed hundreds of Australians in hospital in recent years, including two people who died, and a toddler who was accidentally poisoned.
You might think vaping is a safer alternative to smoking, but that’s a dangerous misconception. Vapes often contain seriously nasty chemicals like formaldehyde, arsenic and lead. These can cause health problems such as respiratory issues, poisoning and permanent lung damage. Most vapes contain nicotine, which is a highly addictive substance and can lead to symptoms like breathlessness, vomiting and nausea.
Every vape is a hit to your health
To raise awareness about the dangers of vaping and make kicking the habit easier, the South Australian government has also launched an online portal: Be Vape Free. It’s designed to provide information to young people about the harmful effects of vaping and encourage them to engage with resources to help them quit.
These include tips to make a quit vaping plan, telephone lines for counselling, an outline of what support GPs can offer, plus proven behavioural quit strategies. The idea is to provide support and information to help young people make informed decisions about their own health.
How Harold kicked his vaping habit
Harold’s story is a perfect example of how easy it is to slide into vaping addiction, and how a sensible plan is key to quitting. When the South Australian started vaping in 2022, he thought it was harmless. But vaping quickly turned into a constant habit that meant he was anxious if he didn’t have a vape in his pocket at all times.
Harold, who was a uni student and hospo worker in his 20s at the time, got into vaping on a night out, through friends who were already using vapes: “I’ve never really been into smoking, but I tried their vape and got a head spin off it … That was when it was really taking off, and everyone would just pass vapes round among their friend groups for hits when they were out.”
What began as a social activity soon turned into an all-day, everyday habit for Harold. “From when I woke up to when I went to sleep, I was vaping,” he says.
“I had no idea how addictive nicotine was – I’d been drinking alcohol for years and it had never been a problem, so I never thought I’d get addicted to vapes.”
The wake-up call came after more than a year when he realised how pointless it had become: “I was wasting money on these things and not getting any head spins. It was all about the head spins for me.”
Plus, Harold had developed a persistent cough. “My girlfriend used to tell me in the morning that I was even coughing in my sleep,” he says.
The game plan to quit
Harold decided to quit with a methodical, step-by-step approach. He weaned himself off by reducing the nicotine juice in the vapes he was smoking from five per cent to three per cent, and then to 1.5 per cent.
The final push came during the COVID-19 pandemic. “I ended up quitting due to COVID. Not smoking [vapes] for a week helped me realise I didn’t need to do it anymore,” Harold says. His gradual reduction strategy made quitting less scary and more manageable.
“It’s hard to quit cold turkey, but if you gradually reduce the nicotine, it gets easier,” he says. If you want to try a similar strategy to Harold, talk to your GP. They can talk you through effective options like nicotine replacement therapy and prescribed quit medications.
No regrets
Quitting vaping cured Harold’s cough, and freed him from the constant worry about when he’d get his next vape hit. Looking back, he’s glad he’s given vapes the flick – along with quite a few other South Australians.
“You don’t see it as much when you’re out now. It was a trend for a while there, but I think the initial craze of vaping has died down. It’s definitely not as popular as it used to be.”
Want more inspiration? Read two more stories about South Australians who’ve successfully ditched the vapes by accessing the help and support they needed.
If you’re ready to take the first step towards quitting, visit Be Vape Free SA or call Quitline on 13 78 48.
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