South Australia Hits 100 Store Closures in Illicit Vape & Tobacco Crackdown
South Australia is intensifying its fight against the illicit tobacco and vape trade, announcing that 100 stores across the state have now been hit with 28-day closure orders since new ministerial powers came into effect on June 5th. This aggressive crackdown, led by the Malinauskas Labor Government’s dedicated $16 million illicit tobacco taskforce, aims to disrupt the business model of organized crime groups linked to the illegal trade.
Since the new laws were enacted, the state government has seized illicit products valued at approximately $50 million. This massive haul includes over 41 million cigarettes, 140,000 vapes, and 13,585 kilograms of loose tobacco. In addition to the 100 short-term closure orders, two long-term closure orders have been issued, with another five currently being progressed through the Magistrates Court.
The taskforce has been active across both metropolitan Adelaide and regional South Australia, with approximately 20% of the raids and closures occurring in regional areas. Suburbs with multiple closures include Adelaide (13), Salisbury North (7), Morphett Vale (4), and several others with two or three closures each, demonstrating the widespread nature of the issue.
Suburb Breakdown
| Suburb | Amount of Closure Orders |
|---|---|
| Aberfoyle Park | 2 |
| Adelaide | 13 |
| Blair Athol | 1 |
| Campbelltown | 2 |
| Christies Beach | 2 |
| Clarence Gardens | 2 |
| Clearview | 2 |
| Edwardstown | 1 |
| Elizabeth | 1 |
| Elizabeth South | 1 |
| Ethelton | 3 |
| Evandale | 1 |
| Gawler | 1 |
| Glenelg | 1 |
| Glenelg North | 1 |
| Hendon | 1 |
| Barmera | 1 |
| Berri | 1 |
| Henley Beach | 1 |
| Hindmarsh | 1 |
| Holden Hill | 1 |
| Kadina | 2 |
| Kilkenny | 1 |
| Malvern | 2 |
| Marden | 1 |
| Flinders Park | 1 |
| Melrose Park | 1 |
| Gawler South | 1 |
| Modbury | 2 |
| Morphett Vale | 4 |
| Mount Barker | 3 |
| Murray Bridge | 2 |
| Hackham | 1 |
| Huntfield Heights | 1 |
| North Adelaide | 1 |
| Nuriootpa | 2 |
| Para Hills | 1 |
| Parafield Gardens | 1 |
| Plympton | 1 |
| Pooraka | 1 |
| Port Adelaide | 1 |
| Rosewater | 2 |
| Salisbury | 3 |
| Salisbury East | 1 |
| Salisbury North | 7 |
| Seaford | 2 |
| Sefton Park | 1 |
| Semaphore | 3 |
| Smithfield | 3 |
| Stonyfell | 2 |
| Strathalbyn | 1 |
| Valley View | 3 |
| Wallaroo | 1 |
| Woodville South | 1 |
| Total | 100 |
South Australia now boasts the toughest penalties in the nation for these offenses. Fines for possessing a “large commercial quantity” of illicit products can reach up to $6.6 million for a subsequent offense by a corporation. The government also introduced a new offense for landlords who knowingly allow their premises to be used for selling illicit tobacco and vapes, with penalties up to $20,000 for individuals and $50,000 for corporations.
Minister Andrea Michaels issued a stern warning: “South Australia is throwing everything at the fight against illicit tobacco. We have now closed 100 stores across the state… We know it is largely organised crime that is behind this trade and closing down stores significantly disrupts their business model. Anyone selling illicit tobacco and vapes in South Australia is on notice that you will be shut down.” This robust approach has earned South Australia a top rating from the Australian Council on Smoking and Health for its nation-leading response to tackling tobacco and smoking.
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