BACKGROUND: The global proliferation of ‘brick-and-mortar’ vape stores not only fuels easy availability, but also normalises vapes and their perception as a safe consumer product. In Australia, vape retailers increased rapidly from 2017. However, in mid-2023, the Australian government announced legislative reforms to curtail retail sale of vapes. This legislation and its enforcement rolled out nationally during 2024, with vape sales confined to pharmacies with a prescription from 1-July-2024. Our research in Western Australia (WA) tracked the rise and fall in the number and geographic density of vape stores before and after these reforms.
METHODS: We examined physical stores where vapes and/or tobacco were a main source of business, plus convenience stores visibly stocking vapes. Vape stores’ existence and operating status was ascertained via online desktop audits in January-2023 (baseline) and three subsequent time points. In-person observational store audits were undertaken in inner-city areas with a concentration of vape/tobacco/ convenience stores. Descriptive statistics summarised store numbers and location over time and examined socio-economic variations and proximity to schools.
RESULTS: The baseline audit identified 194 vape stores, with a 120% increase in the WA capital city since a previous 2019 audit. New vape stores were opening even after legislation prohibited importation and sale of disposable vapes. However, as further restrictions took effect, store closures were observed. By September-2024, 79% of the 194 baseline stores had ceased selling vapes, including permanent closure of all 33 dedicated vape stores. By contrast, vape availability through convenience stores remained high in the first two post-baseline audits, though with decreased in-store product visibility, shifting more to ‘under-the-counter’.
CONCLUSIONS: This massive reduction in physical vape stores powerfully suggests the Australian legislative reforms have been effective in curbing the availability of vapes and their retail normalisation. However, ‘under-the-counter’ vape sales in convenience stores remain a challenge, requiring ongoing monitoring and enforcement.