Coalition confirms it would introduce vape tax and allow vapes to be sold at retail storesBy political reporter Holly TregenzaTopic:Vaping21m ago21 minutes agoThu 1 May 2025 at 8:03amVaping would be re-legalised and then regulated under a Coalition government. (AAP: Diego Fedele)In short: The Coalition has confirmed it would allow retailers beyond pharmacies to legally sell vapes. Costings released on Thursday reveal a new tax on vapes would add an estimated $3.6 billion over four years. What's next?Shadow Treasurer Angus Taylor says the change would target organised crime's revenue on the black market and make vapes less appealing to young people. abc.net.au/news/recreational-vaping-to-be-allowed-under-a-dutton-government/105239948Link copiedShareShare articleThe Coalition has confirmed it would allow vapes to be sold at retail stores, tax the products and regulate the industry, in a departure from the current legislation which allows for vapes only to be sold at pharmacies.The opposition's costings, released on Thursday, reveal the measure would add $3.6 billion to the budget over four years.It's the third biggest saving the Coalition is offering, which will be achieved through a $1 a millilitre tax.Shadow Treasurer Angus Taylor told Afternoon Briefing it was "not a new policy" and insisted it would not normalise vaping.He said instead, the change would tackle organised crime and render the vape black market obsolete."There's already a big vaping tax on Australians by criminal organisations, criminal gangs," he said."We would rather have a properly regulated sector with a tax on it from the government which benefits tax payers."He said the higher price of vapes would discourage young Australians from taking up vaping and said it was "not something we want young people adopting"."We want to make sure people think very hard before they do it."Coalition silent on vapes throughout campaignWhile the Coalition outlined the plan in June last year when the government and Greens joined to pass the current ban through the parliament, it has not been mentioned in the campaign.At the time, Shadow Health Minister Anne Ruston said it was targeted at taking the profits away from organised crime groups.Buying a vape? From today, the rules are changing Photo shows Jill Clarke stands in front of three glasses of water with pink vapes inside.Jill's vaping dependence and attempts to quit became a social media journey followed by millions. Here's what she thinks about the changes to Australia's vaping laws."Regulating the vaping market through strict and sensible policies will protect our kids from the harms of vaping, and it will protect our community from organised crime," she said.Responding to the Coalitions' costings on Thursday, Treasurer Jim Chalmers rubbished the idea, saying vapes were a "gateway to smoking" and accused the Coalition of making "money off people vaping".He brushed aside questions about the revenue lost to the black market, saying the government "wanted to get kids off vapes".But he said when it comes to the tobacco excise more broadly, he is aware it is an issue for the budget."That's why we invested, I think, another $162 million over the next couple of years to crack down on people who are avoiding paying the tobacco excise," he said.Posted 21m ago21 minutes agoThu 1 May 2025 at 8:03amShare optionsCopy linkFacebookX (formerly Twitter)Top StoriesCoalition costings reveal worse budget for first two years under Dutton compared to LaborTopic:Federal GovernmentPhoto shows Peter Dutton and Angus Taylor press conferenceCoalition's public service cuts 'focused on Canberra', shadow finance minister says LIVEPhoto shows Jane Hume stands at lecternCoalition's curriculum confusion, Albanese 'nervous' as polling day nearsBAnalysis by Brett WorthingtonPhoto shows a bald male politician wearing glasses speaks in front of a man standing behind himSimon Patterson tells court of 'strained' relationship with alleged mushroom killerTopic:Law, Crime and JusticePhoto shows A close up photo of Erin Patterson looking over her shoulder wearing glases.Harris says Trump administration is using fear as a tool to ruleTopic:World PoliticsPhoto shows Kamala Harris delivers a speech standing in front of a white backdrop that says emergePopular nowHarris says Trump administration is using fear as a tool to ruleTopic:World PoliticsPhoto shows Kamala Harris delivers a speech standing in front of a white backdrop that says emergeIndia is on the warpath against Pakistan. 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