Two stores in St Leonards are the first illicit tobacco stores to be closed under the Minns Labor Government's tough new laws targeting illicit tobacco and illegal vaping.
These stores have been shut down immediately for 90 days under the laws targeting illicit tobacco and illegal vaping.
NSW Health now has substantial powers to make a short-term closure orders of up to 90 days for premises selling illicit tobacco, illegal vaping goods, or selling tobacco without a licence.
The Local Court may, on application by the NSW Health Secretary, make a long-term closure order of up to 12 months if satisfied a relevant breach has occurred.
NSW Health inspectors are being supported by NSW police to carry out raids and issue closure orders on offending businesses.
NSW Health inspectors found and seized 3,860 illicit cigarettes and 224 illegal vapes while implementing the Closure Order at two premises and during inspections of a further two premises. Further investigations will follow and further enforcement action including prosecution may take place.
In addition to the tough new closure powers, the Minns Labor Government's changes to the Public Health (Tobacco) Act increased the maximum penalties for anyone caught selling products without a valid licence to $660,000 for individuals, and $880,000 for a corporation.
The Act also increased penalties for sale of illicit tobacco and introduced a new offence for the commercial possession of illicit tobacco, with these offences now carrying maximum penalties of up to $1.54 million, 7 years imprisonment, or both.
From 1 Jan 2025 to 27 October 2025, NSW Health Inspectors conducted around 1,260 retailer inspections and seized more than 11.8 million cigarettes, over 2,000kg of other illicit tobacco products and around 170,000 illegal vaping goods with a combined estimated street value of around $18.9 million
In the period 1 January to 27 October 2025, the NSW Ministry of Health has finalised 17 prosecutions with the courts imposing a total of $597,200 in fines related to e-cigarette and tobacco offences. There are currently 28 prosecutions inclusive of the District Court appeal before the Courts.
NSW retailers and wholesalers are now required to hold a valid licence to sell tobacco or non-tobacco smoking products as part of the new NSW Tobacco Licensing Scheme.
Businesses can apply for a licence online using their MyServiceNSW account via the Service NSW website.
Applicants are required to complete an annual online application, provide a recent criminal records check and pay the licence fee.
Businesses can get support to submit their licence application by calling the Tobacco Information Line on 1800 357 412.
More information on closure orders and penalties can be found on the NSW Health website.
More information on the new Tobacco Licensing Scheme including how retailers and wholesalers can apply for a licence can be found on the NSW Health website: NSW tobacco licensing scheme.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Health, Ryan Park:
"I can confirm that today we have begun raiding and temporarily shutting down a number of shopfronts suspected of not complying with our tough new tobacco and vaping laws.
"To be sure, this will take some time as we ramp up our closure activities, but this is just the beginning. More will follow in the coming days, weeks and months.
"If you're doing the wrong thing, sooner or later we will come for you."
Quotes attributable to Chief Health Officer, Dr Kerry Chant:
"The new penalties and closure powers are an important step forward in reducing the appeal and availability of these products.
"Tobacco use remains one of the leading causes of preventable death and disease in our community. The new closure powers are another key tool to ensure we act swiftly and gain stronger oversight of the illicit tobacco and illegal trade to help protect public health."
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