$10 Million Worth Of Vapes And Nangs Seized In Perth

Around $10 million worth of illegal vapes and nangs weighing 25 tonnes have been seized from a warehouse in Perth, marking one of the most significant crackdowns of its kind in Australia.

It came following an anonymous tip-off from a member of the public, leading police to Perth's north-eastern suburbs where they discovered a total of 300,000 vapes weighing 15 tonnes, along with 10 tonnes worth of nangs (aka nitrous oxide canisters).

The amount seized was equal to the total number of nicotine vapes seized in New South Wales in a year, as per 9news.

Health Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson praised those involved.

"I'd like to congratulate all those involved in this impressive operation, conducted as part of our ongoing crackdown on illegal vapes," she said.

"Nicotine is a highly addictive and dangerous poison, and we know vapes also contain many other toxic substances and are designed to appeal to young people."

The seizure comes following the announcement in May that Australia is set to introduce a major reform in smoking regulations as it prepares to ban the sale of non-prescription vapes in the country.

The $234 million crackdown comes as part of the country's efforts to reduce the number of young people vaping and the associated health risks and will see disposable vapes completely banned, as well as new restrictions on flavours and colours.

Health Minister Mark Butler said the crackdown comes amid concerns over the number of young people addicted to nicotine, adding that vapers are three times as likely to take up smoking.

“The former government allowed this black market to flourish for too long and as a result, vaping has become a menace in our schools and society,” Butler told the National Press Club.

“Just like they did with smoking, Big Tobacco has taken another addictive product, wrapped it in shiny packaging and added flavours to create a new generation of nicotine addicts."

“Vapers are three times as likely to take up smoking, which explains why under 25s are the only cohort in the community currently recording an increase in smoking rates.”

According to a recent study published in the Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health, one in six teenagers between 14 and 17 have vaped and a quarter of 18 to 24-year-olds have vaped.