THC Vape Pen Sales Surge Despite Australian Restrictions

THC vape pen Australia sales continue to climb despite growing health concerns and legal restrictions. Since the early 2000s, when Chinese pharmacist Hon Lik invented the first e-cigarette as a less harmful alternative to traditional smoking, vaping has evolved into a global phenomenon with serious health implications. Studies have shown that e-cigarette users face a 56% higher risk of heart attacks and 30% increased stroke risk compared to non-users.

However, these health warnings haven’t slowed demand, particularly in urban centers where vapes Melbourne retailers report consistent interest despite the national crackdown. The American Lung Association has linked chemicals in e-cigarettes to severe respiratory issues, including “popcorn lung,” while an outbreak of EVALI (e-cigarette or vaping product use associated lung injury) resulted in at least 68 deaths and thousands of hospitalizations between 2019 and 2020. We’ve noticed that younger demographics especially gravitate toward disposable vape pens because of their convenience and flavor variety. In this article, I’ll explore why THC vape pen sales continue to surge in Australia despite significant health concerns and legal restrictions.

THC Vape Pen Sales Rise Despite National Crackdown

The Australian cannabis vape market is experiencing remarkable growth, generating $346.6 million in revenue during 2024. Market analysts project this figure will surge to $812.9 million by 2030, with a compound annual growth rate of 15.3% from 2025 onwards. Notably, portable vape devices dominate the market, accounting for 70.83% of sales in 2024.

Despite government restrictions, illicit sales have flourished. Between January and June 2023, an additional 633 retailers notified NSW Health they were selling e-cigarette products, nearly double the 326 notifications during the same period in 2022. This uptick occurred even as the federal government announced reforms banning sales from convenience stores.

The black market has responded aggressively to regulatory changes. Following the January 1st national ban on importing disposable vapes, undercover investigations found 90% of Sydney stores still offered nicotine vapes. Furthermore, government officials estimate the illegal vaping market has grown by 60% since prescription-only laws were enacted.

“Penjamins” – sleek, concealable vapes disguised as everyday objects like lip balms or earphone cases – have gained particular popularity among young Australians. Among recent cannabis users, the proportion who reported ever vaping cannabis jumped dramatically from 7% in 2019 to at least 25% in 2022-23.

Enforcement efforts have intensified accordingly. Between April 2022 and September 2023, NSW Health seized more than 485,000 e-cigarettes and e-liquids containing nicotine, with an estimated street value exceeding $23.70 million. Nevertheless, compliance remains challenging, with tobacco and e-cigarette complaints increasing from 909 in 2020 to 2,407 in 2022.

This growth occurs within a broader context where cannabis remains Australia’s most widely used illicit drug, with 11.5% of people reporting recent use in 2022-2023. The industry’s expansion suggests current regulatory approaches face significant challenges in curbing demand. To understand why Australians continue purchasing these products despite legal risks, read more about the motivations driving this persistent market.

Why Are Australians Still Buying THC Vape Pens?

Despite stringent regulations, Australians continue seeking out THC vape pens for several compelling reasons. Perception of safety ranks among the top motivations, with many users believing vaping cannabis is less harmful than smoking it. One student reported their friends claimed “it’s safer than smoking it”. This misconception persists even though research indicates vaping THC oil could potentially harm lung health.

Social media platforms have significantly fueled demand, with TikTok hosting more than 18.1 billion posts with the hashtag #vape. Additionally, Instagram features 16.4 million posts tagged #VapeLife. These platforms showcase thousands of posts about “penjamins” – disguised vaping devices that resemble everyday objects like pens, lip gloss, car keys, or airpod cases. Consequently, many users report purchasing these products “after seeing different ones on TikTok”.

The discreet nature of these products undoubtedly contributes to their appeal. Penjamins allow users to vape cannabis covertly in schools, workplaces, and even airports. Moreover, parents typically “wouldn’t have a clue” if their children were using such cleverly disguised devices.

Affordability remains another key factor. Professor Wilkins notes that “the rise in vaping has been driven by the high price of cigarettes – younger people can’t contemplate spending $AU50 or $AU60 on a packet of cigarettes”. For many, vaping represents “an affordable and accessible form of rebellion or experimentation”.

The intense effects also attract users. Cannabis oil typically contains much higher THC concentrations than cannabis flower. Furthermore, vaping produces “a more intense high and greater cognitive impairment compared to smoking cannabis”. This occurs primarily because less THC is lost through combustion when vaping.

Although these factors contribute to ongoing demand, users often remain unaware of significant health and legal risks. Authorities have seized millions of illegal vapes, yet Dr. Martin estimates only about a quarter of illegal products are intercepted at the border. To understand these potential dangers more thoroughly, read more about the health and legal consequences in the next section.