950% soaring, nicotine bags, bags passed down

The latest statistics from the Australian Border Force show that the number of nicotine bags seized in Australia has exceeded 1.3 million in the first five months of 2024, compared to just 136,694 in the whole of 2022 and 2023 – a staggering 950% year-on-year increase. Most of the seized items were shipped to Australia from Sweden and mysterious countries in the East.

The nicotine bag looks like a lollipop, and the packaging color is striking, such as black cherry, lemon citrus and other flavors, and the design method is similar to e-cigarettes, intended to attract young consumers. However, the nicotine contained in nicotine packs can be just as addictive as cigarettes and e-cigarettes.

Under Australian law, it is illegal to sell, buy or advertise nicotine packs in Australia without a doctor’s prescription. In light of the recent spike in smuggling cases, the Australian government has stepped up enforcement efforts and set up a task force with several federal agencies to crack down on the illegal distribution and sale of e-cigarette products such as nicotine packs.

At the same time, the Scottish government recently announced that it will ban single-use e-cigarette products from April 2025. At that time, the banned products include electronic cigarette varieties that cannot be refilled, cannot be recharged, and cannot replace the heating coil by itself. Violators could face fines of between £5,000 and £10,000.

On the other hand, the U.S. Department of Justice and the Food and Drug Administration recently established a joint task force aimed at combating the distribution and sale of illegal e-cigarette products. Except for two major agencies. The task force also includes multiple law enforcement agencies, including the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

Taken together, these developments reflect the increasing attention paid by governments to the impact of e-cigarettes and related new nicotine products on youth, and increased regulatory efforts. In the future, with the gradual improvement of regulations and increased law enforcement, the illegal channels of related products may be further curtailed.