Dodgy tobacconists who openly peddle illegal cigarettes and vapes are popping up on our main streets and near schools with alarming frequency, often operating with no regard for the law and without fear of consequences.

Member for Willoughby Tim James said it was unacceptable that at least 22 local retailers have been identified as selling illegal tobacco products, with enforcement virtually non-existent.

“Over the past few years, we’ve seen a dramatic rise in tobacconists operating with impunity in the heart of our suburbs including some right near schools, selling candy-flavoured vapes and illicit products. It’s completely out of control,” Mr James said.

“These aren’t harmless shopfronts. They are often criminal fronts for an illegal trade now worth $5 billion a year.”

“The Minns Labor Government has been exposed as been too soft on illicit tobacco and allowed the illicit trade to proliferate without consequence. The response has been simply inadequate. The Minns Labor Government says enforcement is ‘strong’ but this is an absurd position when there are only 24 health inspectors to address this across the entire state and tobacconists openly flaunt the rules.”

“Enough is enough. It’s why the Coalition is stepping up with strong measures that crackdown on this criminal activity.”

The Coalition has secured a parliamentary inquiry into the illicit tobacco trade and introduced the Public Health (Tobacco) Amendment (Stopping Illicit Tobacco) Bill 2025 to take the fight to illegal operators.

Key measures in our Bill include:

• Jail terms of up to 7 years and fines of up to $1.5 million for serious offenders
• Powers for NSW Health to shut down illegal stores for up to 1 month with magistrates given the power to issue closure orders for up to 12 months.
• New rights for landlords to terminate leases of non-compliant tenants
• Penalties for landlords who knowingly allow their premises to be used for illicit sales

Public submissions to the Legislative Council inquiry into the illicit tobacco trade close on August 1 at: https://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/committees/inquiries/Pages/inquiry-details.aspx?pk=3100

“NSW currently has the weakest tobacco laws on the east coast. That’s why criminals are flocking here. Our plan will reverse that and make NSW the hardest place in the country to sell illegal tobacco and vapes,” Mr James said.

“We need real enforcement, real deterrents, and a government with the backbone to act. Our communities deserve nothing less.”