A Chinese freight forwarding company is suspected of illegally transporting e-cigarettes. The Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration is investigating

A Chinese freight forwarding company is suspected of illegally transporting e-cigarettes. The Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration is investigating

The Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has launched an investigation into Huawell Trade Export Shipping, a Chinese freight forwarding company, for allegedly illegally promoting and shipping e-cigarettes to Australia on social media, in violation of local import and advertising regulations. At the same time, Australian authorities are working to crack down on illegal e-cigarette advertising and sales activities conducted through social media platforms.

According to the Newcastle Herald on August 27, the Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has launched an investigation into a Chinese freight forwarding company that claimed to provide illegal e-cigarette products to buyers by kilograms.

Under current Australian law, only companies with import licenses and permits issued by the Office of Drug Control can import e-cigarettes into Australia. Importers must also inform the TGA whether the e-cigarettes meet relevant standards.

In New South Wales, selling nicotine e-cigarettes without a prescription to people under the age of 18 may result in a fine of A$1,650 or six months in prison.

Since a nationwide ban on the importation of disposable e-cigarettes came into effect on January 1, the Australian Border Force and the TGA have seized nearly 4 million e-cigarettes, which is estimated to be a small fraction of the e-cigarette products entering the country.

"One supplier told me one in nine of his shipments gets seized, it's just the cost of doing business," said New South Wales Nationals Senator Ross Cadell.

Ross Cadell, a National Party senator from New South Wales, Australia | Source: Newcastle Herald

Most of the products are flowing into convenience stores and tobacco shops.

According to the media Newcastle Herald, there are at least 10 stores selling e-cigarette products in the center of Newcastle alone.

Australian Community Media (ACM) emphasized last week that the technology giant Meta is promoting the sale of banned e-cigarette devices by allowing advertisements.

ACM verified 15 paid advertising pages running on Meta platforms (including Facebook, Instagram and Reels) that violated Australian law and Meta's advertising standards.

Newcastle Herald revealed that Chinese freight forwarding company Huawell Trade Export Shipping recently advertised on the Meta website, claiming that it could import e-cigarettes directly into Australia. The company also claimed to be able to import building materials, decorations, hardware and lamps, and said it could deliver e-cigarettes to buyers' doors at a price of A$34.5 per kilogram.

Huawell Trade Export Shipping's e-cigarette advertisement on Facebook | Source: Shutterstock

After the media alerted, the Australian Federal Department of Health and Aged Care launched an investigation into the social media post.

A spokesperson said,

"The company's advertisement has been referred to the TGA and is being evaluated. The TGA will work with other departments to investigate the company's activities, including suspected illegal importation, advertising and supply of e-cigarettes to Australia."

As of Monday (26th), at least one post of the company was still on Facebook.

The company did not respond to Newcastle Herald's request for comment.

The spokesperson said that the TGA works closely with digital platforms including Meta to combat and remove advertisements for unapproved therapeutic goods and e-cigarette products.

In addition, the TGA can request Internet service providers to block websites containing suspected illegal content, including web pages operated by individuals or companies outside Australia. This action is only taken when the person in charge of the overseas website cannot be identified or the website does not voluntarily comply with Australian regulations.

A Meta spokesperson told ACM last week that Meta prohibits the sale or promotion of illegal drugs on its platform and removes illegal content immediately when it becomes aware of it.

Senator Cardell said recent legislative changes had not stopped the sale of e-cigarettes, but had increased profits from black market sales.

"The only change I've seen since the legislation came in is the price. One store was selling for $25 to $30 and now sells for $50 to $60. The ban has only made organised crime more money, not stopped it."

Senator Cardell said there were reports that some young people were turning to illegal tobacco products because they couldn't afford e-cigarettes.

"I'd like to be able to say kids will never touch e-cigarettes again, but that's impossible. If they're going to get an e-cigarette, I'd prefer it be a regulated product that meets the standards."