Queensland authorities closed 148 stores and seized more than A$15.7 million ($10.4 million) worth of illegal smoking products in a 10-day enforcement operation that ended last week. Dubbed Operation Major, the blitz targeted illicit cigarettes, loose tobacco, vapes, vaping liquids, and nicotine pouches, resulting in the confiscation of 11.8 million cigarettes, 1.7 tons of loose tobacco, 87,000 vapes, 4.2 liters of vaping liquid, and 270,000 nicotine pouches.
The closures were executed under new laws allowing Queensland Health to shut stores for 90 days without a court order. Health Minister Tim Nicholls said the operation demonstrates the state’s commitment to cracking down on illegal tobacco and vaping products, warning that black-market operators will be aggressively pursued.
Theo Foukkare, CEO of the Australian Association of Convenience Stores, welcomed the move but noted that illicit traders are shifting online due to federal inaction on illegal tobacco. He emphasized the need for coordinated national measures to redirect consumers to the regulated market.