00:00They're enticing to kids and look like sweets, but their popularity is in decline thanks
00:08to new laws.
00:09The vape stores are gone, the stores that we're selling them are distancing themselves
00:15from that.
00:16New research from the University of Notre Dame finding almost all 194 bricks and mortar
00:23WA shops where vapes were sold have either closed or stopped selling them.
00:28After federal legislation took effect in July last year, prohibiting the sale, supply or
00:35possession of vaping products without a doctor's prescription.
00:38The availability of the product has reduced, the visibility of the product has reduced and
00:43that's what the legislation was aiming to do.
00:45However, the report also found vapes are still easily accessible at some convenience stores.
00:52Researchers visiting 32 inner Perth stores in June last year finding…
00:5814 of them were selling vapes quite openly.
01:01There were really visible product displays on the counter, signs saying like vapes here,
01:05price lists on the counter.
01:06I went to a convenience store here in Northbridge and was almost immediately offered several
01:13types of vapes when I asked for them.
01:15The worker showing me different flavours, pulling up a box from behind the counter.
01:20The asking price?
01:22$50 in cash.
01:24Police insist those not following the rules will be held accountable.
01:28Police are looking at you, Australian Border Force are looking at you, Australian Federal
01:32Police are looking at you and Department of Health are looking at you.
01:34The State Government says strengthening WA's vape legislation is a priority.
01:40And the next piece of the puzzle is the size of the penalty.
01:43In South Australia and Queensland in particular, we've seen very big penalties applied and when
01:47they're applied, the bloke down the road who might still be doing it thinks twice before
01:53breaking the rules.
01:54Working to ensure the vape crackdown doesn't go up in smoke.
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