Queensland Health and police have seized more than 800 vapes and 30 kilograms of tobacco across southern Queensland, following tip-offs from the public.
Gold Coast authorities confiscated 805 vape devices, which were later found to contain nicotine, from a store in Burleigh Heads.
Nicotine vapes are illegal, and can only be sold at pharmacies to people with a prescription.
The sale of vapes without nicotine is restricted under the Tobacco and Other Smoking Products Act 1998, which excludes the sale of products to people aged under 18.
Police also raided three stores in Dalby, west of Brisbane, where they seized 30kg of illegal loose tobacco and a large quantity of imported cigarettes.
It is unclear whether the incidents are linked.
The raid followed an extensive investigation and several reports from members of the public about the sale of illicit tobacco products at the Dalby stores.
A 28-year-old man and a 36-year-old man, both from Toowoomba, were charged with the commercial sale of excisable goods.
They will face the Dalby Magistrates Court next month.
Gold Coast crackdown
More than 5,700 vapes have been confiscated around the Gold Coast this year.
Gold Coast Public Health Unit Director Sharon Jurd said she was extremely concerned about e-cigarette use in young people, especially in schools.
"Flavours — such as watermelon, grape, bubble-gum, and mint — along with bright packaging makes vapes appealing to young people," she said.
"The tobacco and vaping industry are targeting nicotine e-cigarettes at young people despite knowing they are harmful, and most are addictive."
New research has found young people think vaping is cool and tend to take up the trend because they see older children doing it.
'Deceptive' product
An investigation by Four Corners found a thriving black market for the products, fuelled by rising demand and a failure to police the rules.
Mr Jurd labelled vapes and e-cigarettes "deceptive" and said many labelled "nicotine-free" actually contained nicotine.
She said the unit's environmental health officers would continue to monitor their distribution and enforce public health legislation across the Gold Coast.
Queensland Health is urging anyone who notices a potential breach to report it to their local Public Health Unit.
