Press Releases

In response to calls for action from Australia’s lawful retail industry, the Australian Association of Convenience Stores welcomes the seizure of 376,000 illegal vapes today and continues to call on Health Minister Mark Butler to permanently fix the black market that is importing over 100 million illegal vapes into Australia each year. AACS CEO Theo Foukkare said while today’s announcement is a step in the right direction, in practical terms, it represents lessthan two days’ supply of the 100 million illegal vapes flooding into Australia each year. “Mark Butler announced he’d crackdown on the vaping black market 12 months ago, so seizing just two days’ supply away fromthe illegal black market in that time virtually does nothing to address Australia’s illegal vaping crisis,” Mr Foukkare said. “Families dealing with the fallout of Australia’s black market youth vaping crisis will feel little relief from less than 0.4 per cent of the…

Despite Health Minister Mark Butler’s promise to crack down on illegal vapes, new Roy Morgan data released today reveals more than 1.6 million Australian adults are now vaping – marking a staggering 23 per cent increase in uptake since December last year. Even though it has been illegal to sell or import a nicotine vaping product without a prescription in Australia since 2021, the total percentage of the population vaping has nearly doubled from 4 per cent to 7.9 per cent today. Australian Association of Convenience Stores (AACS) CEO Theo Foukkare said the Health Minister had lost all credibility on Australia’s failed vaping policy. “According to Roy Morgan, 92 per cent of all vapers are buying products illegally, and the number of adult vapers in Australia is now over 1.6 million after growing by 23 per cent since last year,” he said. “After declaring in November last year that he…

Illicit tobacco dealers will continue to cash in on selling dodgy products to unsuspecting Aussies, despite the Federal Government’s planned changes to tobacco laws, the Australian Association of Convenience Stores (AACS) has warned. AACS CEO Theo Foukkare said the organisation’s 6500 member stores supported measures to reducesmoking rates in Australia, however the changes announced by Health Minister Mark Butler today will only fuel the black market that has limited health outcomes by flooding Australia with cheap unregulatedproducts. “The illegal tobacco black market is booming because there’s next to no enforcement on the ground instopping what’s known as ‘chop-chop’ and cheap imported branded products from being sold in hugenumbers. “We support effective public health measures, but we do fear that moving to a standard sized cigarettepackage will encourage even more consumers to turn to the black market and give a free kick to the illegal operators to hide their products in…

Federal and State Health Ministers’ Working Group are meeting today to discuss a national crackdown on vaping must immediately start consultations with the retail industry if they are to be successful in tackling the rampant black market for e-cigarettes, the Australian Association of Convenience Stores said today. Federal Health Minister Mark Butler will meet with his state counterparts today to discuss the Albanese Government’s plans for a ban on “recreational vaping” and restriction of sale to pharmacies only. However, the absence of progress since Minister Butler’s initial announcement earlier this year shows there is a realisation that banning this product is far from straightforward. AACS has long maintained that the only practical solution to the vaping black market is strictly regulated retail sales to adults via responsible licensed retailers. AACS continues to work with all levels of government to support their efforts in eliminating youth access & supports strong enforcement…

AACS held its first Women in Convenience event for 2023 in Sydney on 19th July, at the Pullman Hotel Hyde Park in Sydney. With 90 registered delegates, it was great to see a good mix of males & females in attendance, along with a combination of senior leaders & wider AACS members across various different functions within their organisation.  The AACS Women in Convenience events are designed to promote & support diversity & inclusion in the workplace, providing insights & strategies to support members in their career & personal journeys. Our guest speaker for the event was Sheena Polese, a Leadership & Development coach with extensive experience in FMCG who specialises in coaching & development of women through the various stages of their career path. Sheena’s presentation focused broadly on leadership traits, personal development, personal responsibility & strategies that can be adopted to achieve your own personal goals. One of…