Tasmania is ramping up its fight against illegal tobacco and vaping products, with new legislation tabled in Parliament.
Minister for Health, Mental Health and Wellbeing, Bridget Archer tabled the Public Health Amendment (Prohibited Tobacco and Other Products) Bill 2026 in Parliament on Tuesday 24 March.
“These new laws will send a clear message that the trade of illicit tobacco products will not be tolerated in our State, as part of our ongoing commitment to reduce smoking rates and protect young Tasmanians from harm,” Ms Archer said.
“These products undermine our efforts to reduce smoking and nicotine addiction, and they’re often sold in ways that deliberately target teenagers.
“The legislation proposes new offences and increased penalties for the sale and supply of illegal tobacco and vaping products, and new powers to shut down businesses that sell illegal products.”
New enforcement measures
The Bill introduces a series of strong new enforcement measures, including:
- A new offence for the sale and supply of illicit vaping products.
- Significantly increased penalties for selling or supplying illicit tobacco and vapes.
- New powers to close businesses engaged in illicit tobacco or vape sales or operating outside the licensing framework.
- A ban on selling smoking products from vending machines.
- A ban on the display of smoking paraphernalia in retail stores, ensuring such items are not visible to consumers – particularly children and young people.
- Strengthened enforcement responses for obstructing authorised officers and for selling smoking products to people under 18.
State vs national approach
Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Management, Felix Ellis, said action was needed to ensure the fire bombings and intimidation tactics seen on the mainland do not take hold in Tasmania.
“Without a doubt, the Federal Government’s response to smoking and illegal tobacco has to be one of the worst public policy disasters in the world,” Mr Ellis said.
“Illegal tobacco is fuelling organised crime around Australia. Tougher enforcement against these criminal gangs sends the message that they will not be tolerated in Tasmania.
“While our Government is disrupting the illegal sale of vapes and illicit tobacco products in Tasmania, we can’t deal with the problem alone. “We need a national approach that drives better public health outcomes and supports community safety,” he said.
