/ 15 August 2023

A WA stash smoked out

Image source: Getty
An illustration shows a man exhaling smoke from an electronic cigarette in Washington, DC on October 2, 2018. - In just three years, the electronic cigarette manufacturer Juul has swallowed the American market with its vaporettes in the shape of a USB key. Its success represents a public health dilemma for health authorities in the United States and elsewhere. (Photo by EVA HAMBACH / AFP) (Photo credit should read EVA HAMBACH/AFP via Getty Images)

Australia’s nangheads and vapelords will have a harder time getting their fix after a record bust in Perth’s northeastern suburbs. A warehouse raided by Western Australia’s Health Department officials was storing 15 tonnes of vapes – that’s 300,000 units – and 10 tonnes of nangs. And if you’re wondering what a nang is, they’re a pressurised bulb of nitrous oxide that can be used for pain relief, whipping cream, inflating bike tyres – or getting a quick high. The state’s health minister Amber-Jade Sanderson applauded the seizure, saying that vapes can contain “the same harmful chemicals found in cleaning products, nail polish remover, weed killer, bug spray and paint stripper”. Tomorrow, state and territory Health ministers will receive advice on cracking down on vapes and closing loopholes in the black market after Federal Minister Mark Butler copped some criticism yesterday for his anti-vaping strategy’s slow start.

Know someone who'd be interested in this story? Click to share...

The Squiz Today

Your shortcut to being informed, we've got your news needs covered.

Get the Squiz Today newsletter

Quick, agenda-free news that doesn't take itself too seriously. Get on it.