The NSW Coalition will introduce a Bill in Parliament to crack down on criminals and make NSW the hardest place in Australia to sell illegal tobacco and vapes.
The Public Health (Tobacco) Amendment (Stopping Illicit Tobacco) Bill 2025 will:
• Further increase the penalties for the sale of illicit tobacco, including prison sentences of up to 7 years for serious offending or a $1.5 million fine.
• Provide NSW Health with the power to issue closure orders for businesses selling illicit tobacco and vapes for up to one month.
• Provide magistrates with the power to issue closure order for businesses selling illicit tobacco and vapes for up to 12 months.
• Give lessors the statutory right to terminate leases where a closure order has been issued.
• Create a new offence for lessors who knowingly permit their tenant to use the store for the sale of illegal tobacco or vapes.
Shadow Regional Health Minister Gurmesh Singh said criminals now see NSW as a soft target, given the state’s weak penalties and enforcement.
“Victoria, Queensland, and South Australia have all stepped up with tougher penalties and strong enforcement. Chris Minns’ inaction has left NSW exposed to more criminals, more violence and more illicit tobacco,” Mr Singh said.
Nationals Member for Northern Tablelands, Brendan Moylan, said the Minns Labor Government has let NSW become the easiest place in the country for crooks to make money.
“The number of illegal tobacconists operating has exploded, and they pose a huge risk to community health and safety, particularly to the region’s youth,” he said.
“Everyone knows what’s going on – illegal shops run by criminals are popping up all over the Northern Tablelands, and the scary part is, they are become more accessible to our kids. The NSW Government has done nothing while our communities and small businesses wear the cost. If Labor won’t clean it up, we will.”
“Our plan will shut these shops down, hit the criminals with million-dollar fines or jail, and make it crystal clear – if you’re dealing illegal tobacco in NSW, your days are numbered. No more soft touch. No more excuses.”
“If you’re dealing illegal tobacco or selling vapes to kids in NSW, your days are numbered.”
