Australia: NSW Launches New Unit to Tackle Illegal Vapes
The New South Wales (NSW) government has established a new, dedicated enforcement unit within NSW Health to strengthen compliance with tobacco and vaping laws across the state. The “Centre for Regulation and Enforcement” will consist of a statewide team of 48 full-time staff operating in metropolitan, rural, and remote locations to ensure a consistent and effective approach to tackling the illicit trade.
This new unit will work closely with the Australian Border Force, Police, and the Therapeutic Goods Administration on intelligence sharing and joint operations. Its creation aligns with the NSW government’s introduction of tough new tobacco compliance reforms, including some of the harshest penalties in the country for the sale and commercial possession of illicit tobacco and vapes. These reforms grant inspectors significant new powers, including the ability to issue on-the-spot closure orders for non-compliant premises.
The government is also consulting on a new offense for landlords who knowingly lease their properties to illicit tobacco and vape suppliers. These measures complement the new tobacco licensing scheme, which commenced on July 1st and will be fully effective from October 1st after a three-month grace period.
Health Minister Ryan Park stated, “This government has introduced some of the toughest illegal tobacco penalties in Australia. The creation of this new centre will ensure we have the tools and capabilities to back in our tough new illegal tobacco penalties.”
The need for stronger enforcement is clear. Between January and June of this year, NSW Health conducted over 700 inspections, seizing more than 90,000 illegal nicotine vapes and e-liquids with an estimated street value of around $2.9 million, alongside millions of illicit cigarettes.
- Press source: New dedicated enforcement unit to tackle illicit tobacco
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