Leaked text messages expose a major flaw in Albanian government's vaping ban – as illegal devices continue to flow into the country: 'A complete and total policy mistake'

Chinese exporters shipping millions of vapes to Australia are promising dealers they will get their money back if the illegal smoking devices are seized by customs, explosive WhatsApp messages have revealed.

The reports were leaked just weeks after Albanian Health Minister Mark Butler introduced a nationwide ban on the import of disposable vapes on January 1.

Many retailers still boldly sell and import these products, making them easily accessible despite legal restrictions.

WhatsApp messages between a Chinese exporter and an Australian vape retailer, seen by Daily Mail Australia, show why many retailers are still willing to take the risk.

'Do you provide insurance if customs confiscates the products?' the Australian dealer asked in one message.

'Even distribution of flavors, full insurance if customs confiscates the products.'

The exporter replied that they would offer insurance and then asked how many vapes the customer wanted.

The dealer ordered 50,000 vapes in three flavors.

“Are you in a hurry to receive this shipment of goods?” said the exporter.

A Chinese e-cigarette logistics company has claimed that just 0.01 percent of its vapes were seized by Border Police officers.

They also claimed to be exporting 30 tonnes of fumes per day at Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport, as per promotional material from Daily Mail Australia.

“Committed to becoming the first world-class international e-cigarette logistics compliance brand,” the company said.

'Self-operating special line, the whole process is controllable, can implement fast and efficient inspection procedures at the airport, enjoy safer, convenient and efficient air logistics services, and guide e-cigarettes to the sea without worry.'

The company also claimed to have an “independent professional customs clearance team.”

The text messages have been revealed just months after Daily Mail Australia revealed how easy it was to buy vapes following the government crackdown.

At least 20 independent and chain stores sell illegal nicotine vapes, illegal cigarettes and other devices along busy King Street in the Sydney suburb of Newtown.

Buying a vape is as easy as buying a can of soda or a newspaper and in many cases does not require any ID verification as the average vape costs around $25.

Brian Marlow, Campaign Director for Legalize Vaping Australia, says Chinese exporters don't care about the consequences and will continue smuggling illegal vapes into Australia

'It is clear that these exporters do not care about the new rules of the Minister of Health.'

He wants Australia to regulate vaping to properly get rid of the black market, make it easier for adults to quit smoking and prevent children from buying vapes at convenience stores.

'Even after the rules of January 1, they are still bringing in these products. It is a complete policy mistake by Mark Butler and the Albanian government.

'These exporters offer insurance. If they get caught somehow, they pay the fine and a new shipment.

“We need to legalize vaping as an adult product like New Zealand where they don't have a rampant black market.

“The only way to prevent China from profiting from Australia's failed vaping laws is to regulate the category as a consumer product,” Marlow said.

A spokesperson for the Therapeutic Goods Administration said the Australian government was taking the non-compliance around importing vapes very seriously.

“The Australian Border Force and Therapeutic Goods Administration are working closely to prevent illicit vapes from entering the country and are taking escalated enforcement action where necessary,” they said.

'The Government's reforms to vaping regulation, due to be introduced in 2024, are designed to make detection of illegal vaping easier, and will be supported by a national vaping enforcement framework endorsed by the Commonwealth, the states and territories.'

Under a national crackdown introduced in January, the import of disposable vapes was banned.

Access to e-cigarettes for therapeutic purposes requires a prescription from a doctor or nurse.

Further changes coming in March will ban the personal import of vapes and the import of all non-therapeutic vapes.

“If the legislation is passed by Parliament later this year, the only legal way to buy vapes therapeutically will be through a pharmacy,” Health Minister Mark Butler said.

But former federal police officer Rohan Pike said it would be extremely difficult for the ABF to enforce the import ban on disposable vapes and says a black market will continue to flourish.

“While there is demand, there will be a black market, as it already exists,” he told Nine.

'The unfortunate thing about it is that it is so unregulated. People are consuming these things and essentially leaving their health in the hands of organized criminals.”

Late last month, Australian Border Police officers seized 13 tonnes of disposable vapes that had come to Adelaide from China.

ABF officers became suspicious when fourteen air freight shipments arrived labeled 'refillable atomizer' – often used for perfumes.

The total amount of vapes seized is expected to have a street value of $4.5 million.

China is reportedly responsible for producing 90 percent of the world's vapes, including the highly popular Elf Bar.

Although the country has banned the sale of flavored e-cigarettes domestically, companies can still produce them and sell them around the world.