Australia’s Minns Labor Government introduced the Public Health (Tobacco) Amendment (Landlord Offences) Bill 2025, creating a new offence for commercial landlords who knowingly allow tenants to sell illicit tobacco or illegal vapes. “These penalties ensure we target landlords who knowingly permit illegal activity while protecting legitimate businesses and communities,” said health minister Ryan Park.
Once enacted, landlords who are aware of illicit activities but fail to act or report them could face up to one year in prison, a $165,000 fine, or both.
The move follows months of enforcement action, with New South Wales Health and Police seizing over 11.8 million cigarettes, 2,000kg of tobacco, and 170,000 illegal vapes valued at nearly A$19 million ($12.4 million) between January and October 2025. Courts have imposed $597,200 ($388,180) in fines across 17 prosecutions, with 27 more cases pending.
The legislation complements recent reforms introducing multi-million-dollar fines and prison terms for possession and sale of illicit tobacco, closure orders for offending premises, and new powers for lease termination and license fraud offences.