Ten retailers across NSW were closed last week, including 8 in targeted enforcement action across south western Sydney, as part of the state’s targeted illicit tobacco and vaping operations.
The total number of closures across NSW is expected to reach 500 this week since new powers came into effect last year.
“It’s great news that we’ve closed nearly 500 retailers since our enforcement efforts ramped up last year, a reminder for those who are doing the wrong thing that we are serious and they will be face regulatory action,” said Minister for Health, Ryan Park.
Latest closures
Locations in Tahmoor, the Oaks, Camden and Campbelltown have been shut for 90 days during targeted operations led by NSW Health with the assistance of NSW Police, to disrupt the supply of illicit tobacco and vapes in the region.
While implementing the closure orders on Tuesday 6 October and Wednesday 7 October, NSW Health inspectors, with support of NSW Police, found and seized over 420,000 illicit cigarettes, approximately 60kg of loose-leaf tobacco and more than 4000 illicit vapes, with an estimated combined street value of over $600,000.
As part of the operation, a premises at Campbelltown was uncovered operating a ‘drive-through’ style tobacconist, selling illicit tobacco and illegal vapes through a laneway service window. NSW Health has referred the matter to local council compliance officers to assess potential breaches of NSW planning legislation.
Further investigations will follow these operations and additional enforcement action, including prosecution, may take place.
NSW Police Force, Crime Manager, Camden Police Area Command, Detective Chief Inspector Paul Albury said joint illicit tobacco and vaping operations help disrupt organised crime networks to better protect our communities.
“These retailers are not legitimate local businesses. They are criminal networks that take advantage and cause danger to the public,” he said.
“It is important to remove these illegal products and take action against organised crime figures who distribute them to keep our communities safe.”
Tobacco closures
Closure orders may be issued to a retail premises for selling illicit tobacco or illicit vaping goods and/or the retail sale of tobacco or non-tobacco smoking products without a licence.
NSW Health and NSW Police actively monitor premises during a closure order and take all reports of closure order breaches very seriously. If breaches are identified, the relevant agency will consider further enforcement action, including closure orders and investigation of subsequent breaches for prosecution.
As of 8 October, NSW Health inspectors have issued 493 short-term closure orders since the new powers came into effect in November 2025, with 137 in force to that date. Further closure orders this week are expected to tip this number over 500.
Since 1 January 2026, NSW Health, has seized over 15 million illicit cigarettes, approximately 2.4 tonnes of illicit tobacco, and over 154,000 vapes.
On 1 July 2026 a new offence was introduced under the Public Health (Tobacco) Act 2008 (the Act), for a commercial lessor that knowingly permits premises to be used for the sale of illicit tobacco or illicit vaping goods.
This new offence targets landlords who are aware of tenants selling illicit tobacco or vaping goods from their premises and who knowingly permit this illicit activity to continue.
