Australia banned vape ads more than two years ago – so why are they still all over social media?
Despite strict Australian laws banning vape advertising, illegal sellers are successfully using social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram to promote nicotine products. Experts are calling for stricter enforcement and penalties for platforms that fail to remove this content.
Why it matters
The persistence of these ads highlights the challenges of regulating digital marketplaces and the effectiveness of current public health legislation.
The accounts posted promotional content offering to sell viewers popular vape brands, in most cases directing viewers to order via private messages or encrypted messaging apps. Illustration: Victoria Hart/Guardian Design The accounts posted promotional content offering to sell viewers popular vape brands, in most cases directing viewers to order via private messages or encrypted messaging apps. Illustration: Victoria Hart/Guardian Design Health Australia banned vape ads more than two years ago – so why are they still all over social media? Posts promoting illegal products appear across TikTok, Instagram and YouTube as expert says platforms ‘aren’t doing the job they promised they would do’
The article emphasizes the failure of private platforms to self-regulate, which aligns with a regulatory-focused perspective.
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