Overview
- Legislation to be introduced this week would create an offence for commercial landlords who knowingly permit illicit tobacco or vape sales, carrying up to one year in prison or $165,000 in fines.
- The reforms also propose a new offence for possessing a commercial quantity of illicit tobacco, with maximum penalties of more than $1.5 million and up to seven years’ imprisonment.
- Two retailers in St Leonards were closed for 90 days after inspections under powers that took effect on 3 November, and authorities can seek court-ordered closures of up to 12 months.
- NSW Health reports about 1,260 retailer inspections since 1 January, with seizures exceeding 11.8 million cigarettes, over 2,000 kg of illicit tobacco and roughly 170,000 illegal vapes, valued at about $18.9 million.
- Premier Chris Minns and Health Minister Ryan Park have urged a lower federal tobacco excise, a call rejected by Treasurer Jim Chalmers.