TobaccoReporter logo

Tag: New South Wales

  • NSW Ups Penalties for Landlords With Tenants Selling Illicit Products

    NSW Ups Penalties for Landlords With Tenants Selling Illicit Products

    New South Wales, Australia, passed legislation introducing criminal penalties for landlords who knowingly allow tenants to sell illicit tobacco or illegal vapes, as part of a broader crackdown on the black market. Under the new law, offenders face up to 12 months’ imprisonment and fines of up to A$165,000 ($118,800). The measure builds on recent reforms, including tougher penalties for possession and sale, expanded closure powers for non-compliant premises, and new enforcement tools targeting false licensing and interference with seizures.

    The government also increased enforcement capacity, adding 30 inspectors to support statewide operations alongside police, with more than 220 closure orders issued since late 2025. Officials say the reforms are designed to address evolving tactics, including online and QR code-based sales, and to strengthen accountability across the supply chain to curb illicit tobacco and vape distribution.

  • NSW Tops 100 Store Closures as New Tobacco Taxes Begin  

    NSW Tops 100 Store Closures as New Tobacco Taxes Begin  

    Authorities in Australia’s New South Wales have closed 105 tobacconist shops operating illegally since strengthened tobacco and vaping laws took effect in November 2025. In the past 10 days alone, 30 stores across multiple Local Health Districts were ordered to close for 90 days, with inspectors seizing about 700,000 illicit cigarettes and 3,900 illegal vapes. This comes as a federal tobacco excise increase takes effect today (March 3), raising concerns about a widening price gap between legal and illicit products.

    Under the new laws, NSW Health, supported by NSW Police, can impose 90-day closures on premises selling illicit tobacco, illegal vaping goods, or operating without a license, while courts may issue long-term closures of up to one year. The legislation also introduces penalties of more than A$1.5 million ($1.1 million) and up to seven years’ imprisonment for possession or sale of commercial quantities of illicit tobacco, along with new offences and lease termination powers for landlords. Health Minister Ryan Park said enforcement would intensify with 30 additional inspectors added statewide, bringing the dedicated tobacco compliance team to 78 staff.

  • NSW Increasing Tobacco-Inspector Staff by 62%

    NSW Increasing Tobacco-Inspector Staff by 62%

    New South Wales (Australia) will recruit 30 additional full-time tobacco inspectors to strengthen the state’s Centre for Regulation & Enforcement, expanding the statewide compliance team to 78 staff as authorities intensify efforts against illicit tobacco and vaping products. Since tougher enforcement laws took effect in November 2025, NSW Health and police have closed 66 retailers, including five Sydney Inner West tobacconists last week, while January inspections seized approximately 560,000 cigarettes, 98 kilograms of illicit tobacco, and more than 6,000 illegal vaping products valued at about A$830,000 ($589,000). The government is advancing further legislative measures, including landlord liability provisions and penalties exceeding A$1.5 million ($1.1 million) and seven years’ imprisonment for commercial-scale illicit tobacco offences, as officials warn high federal excise taxes continue to drive demand for illegal products and fuel evolving retail tactics such as QR code and social media-based sales.

  • NSW Tobacco Licensing Enforcement Kicks In

    NSW Tobacco Licensing Enforcement Kicks In

    The three-month grace period for Australian retailers and wholesalers in New South Wales to apply for a license to sell tobacco and smoking products ends today (October 2). Enforcement of the Minns Labor Government’s new Tobacco Licensing Scheme begins tomorrow, meaning all businesses selling tobacco or non-tobacco smoking products must hold and display a valid license. Those trading without one risk heavy penalties, although applicants who lodged a valid application before the deadline can continue operating until their outcome is confirmed.

    The new Center for Regulation and Enforcement within NSW Health will oversee compliance, working with state and federal agencies. Under recently passed reforms, penalties for unlicensed sales will increase dramatically, with fines of up to A$660,000 ($435,600) for individuals and A$880,000 ($580,800) for corporations. New offenses also target illicit tobacco trade, carrying maximum penalties of A$1.54 million ($1 million) and/or seven years’ imprisonment.

  • NSW Introduces Harshest-Ever Crackdown on Illicits

    NSW Introduces Harshest-Ever Crackdown on Illicits

    The New South Wales government today (August 6) introduced sweeping new legislation to Parliament aimed at tackling the illegal tobacco and vaping trade, including some of the toughest penalties in Australia. Under the proposed laws, selling tobacco without a license could result in fines of up to A$660,000 ($429,000) for individuals and A$880,000 ($572,000) for corporations.

    Other key measures include:

    • New offenses for commercial possession or sale of illicit tobacco, carrying maximum penalties of over A$1.5 million ($975,000) and seven years’ imprisonment.
    • Closure orders for up to 90 days (short-term) or 12 months (long-term) for premises violating the laws.
    • Offenses for breaching closure orders, including entering or operating from sealed premises.
    • Lease termination powers for landlords and proposed penalties for those knowingly leasing to illegal sellers.
    • New laws against impersonating licensed sellers, resisting product seizure, or attempting to reclaim confiscated goods.

    The crackdown follows the recent rollout of a tobacco licensing scheme, designed to improve regulatory oversight and reduce black market activity.

  • Australian State Mandating Tobacco Licenses

    Australian State Mandating Tobacco Licenses

    New South Wales, Australia, is implementing a new mandatory tobacco licensing scheme starting July 1, requiring all retailers and wholesalers selling tobacco and non-tobacco smoking products to hold a valid annual license. The annual license will cost A$1,100 ($726), with applications opening July 1. Businesses must apply by October 1 to continue trading while their applications are assessed.

    After October 2, only approved license holders can legally sell smoking products. Penalties for non-compliance include fines of up to A$11,000 ($7,260) for individuals and A$220,000 ($145,200) for corporations.

    Click here for information about the application.

  • Australian State Ups Penalties for Illicit Tobacco 

    Australian State Ups Penalties for Illicit Tobacco 

    Australia’s New South Wales government has introduced major reforms that are expected to be phased in by July 1 to combat illicit tobacco sales. They include a new licensing scheme for retailers and significantly increased penalties for offenders. NSW is following the lead of Queensland, which recently enacted similar measures.

    Under NSW’s new laws, businesses will need to obtain a tobacco retailing license or face fines of up to A$220,000 ($140,000) for corporations and A$44,000 ($28,000) for individuals. Retailers with a current Retailer Identification Number (RIN) will receive information on how to apply for a license. 

    Heavier penalties are now in effect for offenses such as selling single cigarettes or in packs of less than 20, tobacco products without health warnings, or using prohibited packaging. Corporations caught committing these offenses face fines of up to A$770,000 ($493,000), while individuals can be fined A$154,000 ($98,600). 

    The new laws have also strengthened penalties for both individuals and corporations caught selling tobacco products to minors. Individuals can be fined up to A$22,000 ($14,000) for their first offense and A$110,000 ($70,400) for subsequent offenses, while corporations face fines of up to A$110,000 for a first offense and A$220,000 for further offenses.

  • New South Wales Sets High Fines for Youth Sales

    New South Wales Sets High Fines for Youth Sales

    Australian bills and coins
    Photo: Atstock Productions | Adobe Stock

    More than $1 million worth of illegal e-cigarettes and liquids containing nicotine have been seized in New South Wales (NSW), Australia, this year.

    NSW Health has seized more than $3 million of the banned products since July 2020.

    Since October 2021, products containing nicotine are only available for people over the age of 18 when prescribed by a medical practitioner for smoking cessation purposes, from an Australian pharmacy or via importation into Australia with a valid prescription, according to 7News.

    For all other retailers in NSW, the sale of e-cigarettes or e-liquids containing nicotine is illegal.

    The curb on illegal nicotine sales extends to online shops with the maximum penalty of $1,650 per offense, six months in prison or both.

    Selling to minors also comes with hefty fines. For individuals, up to $11,000 for a first offense and up to $55,000 for a second or subsequent offense; and for corporations, up to $55,000 for a first offense and up to $110,000 for a second or subsequent offense.

    Chief Health Officer Kerry Chant said retailers were being put on notice if they were selling the contraband products. “We are cracking down on the illegal sale of nicotine e-cigarettes and liquids and taking a zero-tolerance approach to those who sell them,” she said.

    “NSW Health regularly conducts raids on retailers across the state to protect young people from these harmful devices. You will be caught, illegal items will be seized, and you could face prosecution, resulting in being fined or even jailed.

    “The harmful impacts of vaping on young people cannot be underestimated. People think they are simply flavored water, but in reality, in many cases, they are ingesting poisonous chemicals that can cause life-threatening injuries.”

    The Alcohol and Drug Foundation says around 14 percent of 12-year-olds to 17-year-olds nationwide have tried an e-cigarette, with around 32 percent of these students having used one in the past month. Around 12 percent of students reported buying an e-cigarette themselves.