Queensland is delivering the nation’s strongest illicit tobacco and vape laws, putting illegal tobaccos stores and their landlords on notice.
The Tobacco and Other Smoking Products (Dismantling Illegal Trade) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2025 has been introduced to Parliament this week
The changes will allow Queensland Health to shut down illegal businesses on-the-spot for three months (up from 72 hours), while the courts will be empowered to close businesses for up to 12 months (up from a maximum of six months).
The new laws will empower Queensland Health to seize all lawful smoking products found at illegal stores that are ‘tainted’ by being alongside illicit tobacco and vapes.
Queensland Health officers will also be allowed to conduct undercover operations at illicit tobacco and vape stores.
Minister for Health and Ambulance Services Tim Nicholls said these new laws cemented the Government’s commitment to stamping out the criminal trade and preventing tobacco products falling into the hands of our children.
“The Crisafulli Government has taken a zero-tolerance approach to this criminal trade, by ramping up enforcement efforts and introducing the highest on-the-spot fines in Australia,” Minister Nicholls said.
“We need to stop this game of whack-a-mole where every time we hit an illegal business, it reopens within days or another springs up in its place.
“We’re pulling out all stops to help keep our kids safe, hitting illegal sellers harder and closing them for longer, with landlords also held accountable.”
Chief Executive of the Shopping Centre Council of Australia, Angus Nardi, welcomed the Queensland Government’s new laws.
“The new laws are strong, clear and will give landlords the backing and protections they need to terminate the leases for anyone found selling illicit tobacco and issued with a closure order,” Mr Nardi said.
“We commend Health Minister Tim Nicholls for his engagement on these laws, which are nation leading, common sense, and will have a real and positive impact on community safety.
“These laws will be a model for other jurisdictions, and we look forward to working with Minister Nicholls and the Government to help ensure their effective implementation.”
Under the Crisafulli Government, between 1 November 2024 and August 2025, more than 420,000 illegal vapes, 52.4 million illicit cigarettes and 7500 kilograms of loose tobacco have been seized by Queensland Health.
Over 140 interim (3-day) closure orders have been issued, and more than 3000 fines imposed.
