Australian convenience stores are calling for nicotine vapes to be legally sold from behind the counter, similar to cigarettes.

Theo Foukkare, CEO of The Australian Association of Convenience Stores says it’s the only way to counter black market sales of nicotine-containing vapes, which are currently illegal without a prescription.

“We have 1.2 million adults in Australia who are vaping nicotine products regularly and the current prescription model of those 1.2 million, only 10% are actually going to a doctor – the rest of them are buying them on the black market through dodgy retailers, social media and in the school yard,” Mr Foukkare said.

Press PLAY to hear Theo Foukkare’s full argument