The NSW Government says it will introduce tough new laws to crackdown on the sale of illicit tobacco and illegal vaping goods across the state.

Retailers and wholesalers wishing to sell tobacco, or non-tobacco smoking products, must now apply for a licence as part of the NSW Government’s Tobacco Licensing Scheme.

The number of people in NSW who smoke cigarettes has fallen to its lowest level on record while vaping rates are said to be stabilising.

A new study has added to the growing evidence that long-term vaping is harmful to health, finding that young people who vape perform worse than others in tests measuring their capacity for exercise.

Two community forums are being held to look at the issue of youth vaping. The first is taking place today in Coffs Harbour and a second forum will be held in Ballina on 20 June.

Electronic cigarettes have been around for almost two decades now, but “vaping” has surged in popularity over the past five years, with research showing that young adolescents are most at risk.

Tobacco companies are in your home and in your school. They are quite possibly in your kid’s school bag. They have their sights set on your children; your precious kids are their future. They need to groom your babies into addiction so that their shareholders can continue to suck in their grubby toxic profits. The lips of the tobacco industry are on the soft fleshy cheeks of your babies and they are sucking hard. They are vaping the life out of your kids.