Albanese government brazenly shows off massive haul of seized vapes - as young Aussies are recruited to fight war on illegal e-cigarettes

• Influencers to tell young Aussies to stop vaping
• Next phase of vape ban announced this week
• READ MORE: Daily Mail Australia reveals how easy it is to buy a vape in Sydney

The Albanese government will collaborate with teen influencers in an anti-vaping campaign in a bid to stop young people from using the illegal devices.

Federal Health Minister Mark Butler announced the initiative while standing between towering piles of vape pens that had been intercepted at the Australian border.

Mr Butler said 360,000 vapes worth almost $11million had been seized since the nationwide ban on single-use disposable vapes was introduced on January 1.

The health minister was joined by junior professional surfers Zahlia and Shyla Short from Wollongong, south of Sydney, at the press conference on Wednesday.

The sisters have been tasked to fight the ‘enormous amount’ of misinformation about vaping by sharing the associated risks on their social media platforms.

‘It’s pretty clear that teenagers don’t watch TV or listen to Health Ministers, much as I might like them to,’ Mr Butler told the press conference.

‘Which is why we’ve partnered with influencers that young people listen to. From comedians, to sport stars and gamers, and everyone in between.’

The Short sisters (pictured) will take part in the Youth Vaping Education Program this year

The influencers handpicked for the Youth Vaping Education Program are popular with young Aussies aged 14 to 20 across a wide range of online platforms.

Tasked with pushing the government’s anti-vape agenda are gamers Jack Buzza and HeyImZed, TikToker Ella Watkins and comedy duo Lachlan and Jaxon Fairbairn.

‘We know that a lot of our peers vape, so it’s important to us that we support a campaign that will educate people on the harms of vaping and help them seek support if they want it,’ Lachlan said of his role in the initiative.

Several athletes are also involved, including sportswoman and cricket legend Ellyse Perry and Australian Olympic diver Sam Fricker.

Business owner and sustainability advocate Lottie Dalziel will also be taking part.

The new government campaign is part of a major crackdown on the importation and sale of single-use disposable vape pens across Australia.

Comedy duo Lachlan and Jaxon Fairbairn will take part in the anti-vape government initiative

Sportswoman and cricket legend Ellyse Perry

Australian Olympic diver Sam Fricker

Zahlia Short said she witnessed her friends being tempted by vaping on a regular basis

Mr Butler on Wednesday announced the next stage in Australia’s ‘world leading’ vape reforms which are due to take effect from March 1, 2024.

The importation of all vapes without a licence or permit will be banned and personal importation schemes for vapes will be closed.

The government will also work to strengthen quality and safety standards for therapeutic vapes, which are now only available through a prescription.

‘There is an enormous amount of misinformation and online advertising designed to lure teenagers into vaping,’ Mr Butler told the conference.

‘Together with the Albanese Government’s world leading vaping reforms, education is a key step to stopping Big Tobacco companies from luring a new generation into nicotine dependency.’

Mr Butler announced the next stage in Australia’s ‘world-leading’ vape reforms on Wednesday, which are due to take effect from March 1, 2024

Selling nicotine vapes has been illegal since 2021 under laws introduced by the previous Morrison government, but many retailers have brazenly continued to sell them illegally, with some falsely labelling them as being nicotine free.

In an attempt to fix the loopholes in the previous legislation and crackdown on the supply of vapes at convenience stores, Mr Butler introduced a nationwide ban on the importation of disposable vapes on January 1.

To coincide with the changes to the importation rules, a new access scheme has been set up to allow doctors and nurses to prescribe therapeutic vapes for quitting smoking or to manage nicotine dependence.

‘Once the legislation passes the Parliament later this year the only legal way to buy vapes will be therapeutically through a pharmacy,’ Mr Butler said in January.

READ MORE: Health minister Mark Butler hits back after Daily Mail revealed how easy it is to get around his new vape crackdown

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