‘We will come for you’: vape, tobacco crackdown begins
As the crackdown on tobacco and vaping begins, tobacco retailers may soon be raided and forcibly closed.
Under NSW Health’s new powers, stores selling illegal tobacco, illegal vaping products or selling unlicensed tobacco can be closed immediately for 90 days.
If a breach is detected, these organizations may be forced to close for up to 12 months.
Two stores in St Leonards, in Sydney’s north, have already fallen victim to these changes.
NSW Health inspectors seized 3860 contraband cigarettes and 224 illegal e-cigarettes from both stores while issuing closure orders during Tuesday’s raid.
“If you’re doing something wrong, we’ll come for you sooner or later,” said NSW Health Minister Ryan Park.
Those caught selling these products without a valid license can be fined up to $660,000 for individuals and $880,000 for companies.
Commercial possession of illicit tobacco, under the new offense, could result in a $1.54 million fine, seven years in prison, or both.
Since the start of 2025, 11.8 million cigarettes, 2000kg of other illicit tobacco products and 170,000 illegal vaping products have been seized by NSW Health and more than half a million fines have been issued.
“This is just the beginning,” Mr. Park said.
“More to come in the coming days, weeks and months.”
Retailers and wholesalers who want to sell tobacco or non-tobacco smoking products are now required to have a valid licence.
Applicants must fill out an annual online application, check their criminal records and pay a fee.
