Association of Convience Stores CEO discusses what can be done regarding vapes 04:46

So how can you take down vapes when it's already ubiquitous? Well, Theo Fakari, he's the Chief Executive Officer at the Australian Association of Convenience Stores, and he's on the line for a COG Day. Hey, Chris, thanks for having me on. This all seems extremely, how can I say, in vain, the efforts the government is trying to do.

Yeah, look, it's extremely frustrating. I mean, most of the recommendations that the inquiry has put forward are exactly what we've outlined to not only this government, but the prior government. We've been calling for these recommendations to come into place for more than three years now. We've highlighted to them that these issues are going to continue to mount and become worse.

And that's exactly what we've seen, not only in New South Wales, but around the country. And unfortunately, in New South Wales, the current fine system is $1,650 if you're caught breaking the law. I mean, they might as well just send them a fine every week because it's the cost of doing business for these guys. The people behind running these illegal stores, selling illegal products,

They couldn't care less about the Federal Health Minister Butler's new legislation banning at retail. They couldn't care less about these very weak fines that are imposed on them should they get caught. And, you know, the most frustrating part with all of this is...

They've been warned. And retailers, responsible retailers that employ Australians that only sell regulated products, really have played an important role in controlling access of age-restricted product to only adults, so keeping it out of the hands of kids. Smokes is one of those and alcohol is another, as you rightly pointed out.

And the fact that the state government has firstly, one, taken so long with this inquiry and ignored the calls for change. And secondly, I mean, the new federal laws have been in place for over a month now.

And we've effectively heard nothing. We haven't had hundreds of stores closed down. We haven't had hundreds of stores raided. We haven't had any criminal convictions put in place. Have any of your members been fined? No. Right. So there's not been a single member of yours convening in stores who said, hey, Theo, we just copped a fine for the vaping situation. None.

Absolutely not. And look, bear in mind... What is the point of it then? Bear in mind, Chris, the retailers that we represent overwhelmingly have not sold illegal products. It's all of these... So they tell you. Well, so they tell me, yes. But ultimately, I haven't had any reports of any of our retailers that we represent, and we represent the whole petrol and convenience industry in terms of retail in New South Wales. We haven't had one report of a fine. True.

Well, it feels to me that the whole thing's futile. And, you know, well, they're good for a headline, realistically, outside of having police knocking on doors or border force raiding shops. For what? A handful of vapes? That's not going to happen. How does one put the genie back into the bottle? You can't, can you?

Chris, I think the solution is pretty simple and the federal coalition have announced, should they get back into government, a policy that is very similar to what we've been calling for. Let's make it regulated. Let's put a proportionate tax on it. Let's make it available to adults through responsible licensed retailers,

Let's put in place massive fines for anyone caught selling to children. And let's get rid of these flavours that actually target children, but not make it only available in three flavours that no adults like. Because everything that, I mean, a system can't be designed to make it unattractive to adults, which, let's be clear, the vast majority of Australians, now nearly 2 million adults,

They actually like flavours. But should they be able to buy cotton candy or bubble gum? It doesn't matter, mate. Absolutely not. At the end of the day, it doesn't matter, right? Vapes are a vehicle for nicotine. Cigarettes are a vehicle for nicotine. Cigars are a vehicle for nicotine.

And, you know, roll-up cigarettes are a vehicle for nicotine, all of which, outside of vapes, are legal, are regulated and are taxed. Is there any difference with vapes? Not. No, in my opinion. And I'm pleased that Peter Dutton and the Liberal Party seem to agree with us. Theo, I've got to run, but I appreciate you jumping on. Thanks so much for the time. Chris, talk to you soon. You're very welcome. That's Theo Ficarra. He's the Chief Executive Officer at the Australian Association of Convenience Stores.