In this article
What can be reported?Where to make a reportUseful details for a reportAdvertising reports differ from safety reportsFrequently asked questionsMust a reader know the exact law before reporting an advertisement?Is advertising complaint reporting the same as reporting a defective product?Further readingOfficial sourcesRelated articles
The TGA provides a formal way to report advertisements that may breach Australian therapeutic-goods advertising rules, including the tight restrictions on vaping-goods promotion. Reports help the regulator identify potentially non-compliant public content.
What can be reported?
Potentially problematic examples may include public advertisements for vaping goods, unsubstantiated therapeutic claims or prohibited promotional content appearing online. The TGA notes that the vaping advertising ban extends across media, including social networks and sponsorship. A report is an allegation requiring assessment; it is not a finding that an offence has occurred.
Where to make a report
The TGA maintains a dedicated Report non-compliant advertising portal. Its page, updated 3 August 2026, explains that members of the public can submit information about an advertisement for a medicine, medical device or another therapeutic good. The same resource identifies vaping advertisements as a category covered by the restrictions.
Useful details for a report
A clear record may identify the URL or platform account, date and approximate time the material was seen, what was displayed and why it raised concern. Screenshots may help preserve a page that is later edited, but the relevant facts should be represented accurately. The TGA states that the person reporting need not identify the precise legal provisions believed to be breached.
Advertising reports differ from safety reports
An advertising complaint is not the correct route for reporting a side effect, a battery problem or a defective medical device. The TGA maintains separate adverse-event and product-safety reporting channels. If the immediate issue concerns a harmful product or urgent safety risk, readers should use the appropriate safety pathway and seek medical assistance when necessary.
Frequently asked questions
Must a reader know the exact law before reporting an advertisement?
No. The TGA says a complainant does not need to specify the relevant regulatory provisions.
Is advertising complaint reporting the same as reporting a defective product?
No. The TGA offers separate routes for advertising concerns and product or patient safety problems.
Further reading
- Australian vaporiser laws and regulations
- Vape Advertising Restrictions in Australia Explained
- Vape Advertising on Social Media: Australian Considerations
- Australian Vaping Law FAQ for Businesses and Readers
Official sources
- TGA — Report non-compliant advertising
- TGA — Vapes: advertising and promotion
- TGA — Determining if your content is advertising
Information current to 9 October 2026. Australian law and regulatory guidance may change. This page provides general information rather than legal or clinical advice.