Testing of seized vaping products from vape shops in Canberra, Australia, allegedly found dangerous ingredients alongside nicotine, which have been banned across the country.
Following tip-offs from local communities, last October ACT Health in collaboration with the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) seized a “large number of vaping products” from three Canberra vape businesses.
Upon testing, all products were found to contain nicotine, which has been banned across the country, while two thirds of the products were also found to contain prohibited substances including diacetyl, a flavouring agent believed to cause irreversible lung damage.
“It is especially concerning that two thirds of the products were not labelled as containing nicotine,” said the two groups in a joint statement. “As enforcement options are under consideration, further information on the businesses involved cannot be provided publicly at this stage,” they added.
Last year, Australia’s Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt had announced a new measure banning the importation of vape liquid containing nicotine. A few months later the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) announced their final decision on the measure, “..the importation of nicotine e-cigarettes and liquid nicotine for vaping will require a doctor’s prescription.”
Diane Caruana – VapingPost – 2022-06-23.