In the first four days of the eight-week operation, 1200 vapes with an estimated value of $36,000 and suspected of containing nicotine were taken off shop shelves.

All seized products will be laboratory tested which could lead to legal action or the cancellation of business licences.

Health Minister Chris Picton said it was concerning young people could pick up vapes so easily not knowing they contained highly addictive nicotine.

"The rates at which young people are becoming hooked on vapes is alarming and we must act now to turn this around," he said on Friday.

SA this week introduced new conditions requiring retailers to provide proof vaping products being sold are nicotine-free.

Retailers also need to provide information about their e-cigarette suppliers, importers or manufacturers to allow products to be traced.

The new conditions are an interim measure, while the federal government works through plans to stop the importation of non-prescription e-cigarettes along with the banning of vapes in retail settings and the sale of single-use vapes.

Australian Associated Press