ANDREWS GOVERNMENT SITTING ON REPORT WHICH CALLS FOR VAPE CRACKDOWN

The Andrews government was advised to crack down on vape sellers in an independent report which is gathering dust.

The Andrews government has been sitting on an independent report calling for Victoria to introduce a licensing scheme for tobacco and vapes since before the election.

Pressure has been ramping up to regulate the sale of nicotine products amid disturbing increases in children using e-cigarettes and organised criminals profiting from the illegal tobacco trade.

This week, it was revealed federal agencies seized $103m worth of tobacco in Victoria as part of a probe into crime syndicates while last year a $400m ring was busted in Broadford, north of Melbourne.

Serious incidents involving students and vapes, including those in primary school, are also being reported to the Department of Education.

Amid mounting calls for action, the Herald Sun has confirmed a report from the government’s own agency, Better Regulation Victoria, recommends a major shake-up.

In a report into the illicit tobacco trade handed to the state last year, BRV recommends that a licensing scheme be adopted for all tobacco and e-cigarette sales.

Under this plan, anyone selling vapes or cigarettes would be required to pay an annual fee, likely between $300 and $500, to obtain a licence to sell these products.

Feedback from health and business groups said that by regulating these purchases the government would have far better oversight to manage public safety.

The report also notes that Victoria and Queensland are the only states who do not have a licensing or notification scheme of some kind.

Queensland is currently consulting with the community about new tobacco laws that could leave Victoria as the only state without a program in place.

The BRV report also calls for enhanced powers to let Victoria Police and government inspectors to crack down on stores who do the wrong thing and to hand out significant fines.

Australian Association of Convenience Stores chief executive Theo Foukkare urged the government to take “swift action” and release the review’s findings.

“As retailers we stand ready to support and work with the Victorian government to be able to implement a licensing structure to help eradicate the illicit black market for both illegal tobacco and nicotine vapes,” he said.

“We’ve all seen the explosion in unregulated nicotine vaping products being sold not only to our adults, but our youth.

“We firmly believe a regulated consumer model with responsible retailing guidelines will strongly support eliminating youth access to all illicit nicotine vaping products.

“Legitimate retail businesses are continuing to lose customers to the black market, which is placing enormous pressure on all tobacco retailers, especially small businesses.”

Advocates have grown frustrated at the policy standstill and silence from the government, questioning why Victoria is the only state that has not acted on the problem amid health concerns and contributions to criminal fundraising.

They have also questioned why the report has been sitting with the government since before the election.

A Victorian government spokesman said the government was working with other states on the issue.

“We thank the commissioner for her report which we received late last year and are considering her recommendations,” he said.

“Ministers from all jurisdictions have agreed that a united approach is needed and are working closely on a national approach.”

The BRV report was initially requested to focus on illicit tobacco, however they included e-cigarettes or vapes in their recommendations because other states regulate these products together.

Retailers who spoke with BRV suggested that a fee of $305 a year, in line with Western Australia, would be the best way to fund the licensing scheme. However other submissions called for a fee closer to $500.