Ecigs, Tax and The Australian Govt

An electronic cigarette is a specialized electronic device which essentially simulate cigarette smoking, minus all of the harm. It basically consists of a modulator, an electric power source like a lithium battery, and a bottle like a tank or cartridge. Rather than smoke, the user inhales only vapor. As such, utilizing an e-cigs is frequently described as “vaping” rather than smoking, which may have some implications for the law.

Not all e-liquids are battery-operated devices, although they are increasingly becoming so. Some use batteries which can be recharged with an electrical outlet while others require the user to replace the battery from time to time. However, most e-liquids are rechargeable by merely plugging the device into an electrical outlet. There is also some variation between e-liquids, such as how many flavors they support and whether they are available in aerosol cans or liquid bottles. Most users find that aerosol e-liquids are more flavorful and enjoyable than those which are in liquid bottles.

The Australian Government has placed a tax on the production, importation, and sale of electronic cigarettes in an attempt to control the escalating sale of nicotine products. Despite this law, there are a variety of manufacturers who have chosen to circumvent the tax and still produce e-liquids that are nicotine-free. Since electronic cigarettes are already widely regulated, it is difficult for the government to regulate what you put into your body, so the manufacturers can put any variety of harmful ingredients in their e-liquids, including nicotine. For this reason, e-liquids are typically considered safer than nicotine cigarettes, even though they lack the flavor and the satisfaction many users find with traditional cigarettes.