Media release 14 Aug : Tougher Action Needed to Stop Black Market Cigarettes and Vapes

Tougher Action Needed to Stop Black Market Cigarettes and Vapes

In a speech to the NSW Parliament last night, Member for Albury Justin Clancy called for the introduction of Tobacco Licencing Laws and tougher penalties, including jail time, to better tackle the surging sales of illicit cigarettes and vapes.

A recent 2-day operation across Albury, Lavington, and Howlong, targeting the alleged ongoing supply of prohibited drugs and illicit tobacco, was conducted by Strike Force Cecum. Officers from the Murray River Police District charged 23 people with 48 offences and 12 search warrants were executed. 

Police seized 92,250 cigarettes with an estimated street value of just over $142,000, along with 505 vapes worth an estimated value of $30,000.

Mr Clancy said the lack of tobacco licencing laws and the shortage of tobacco control officers made officials' jobs extremely difficult. Many establishments caught in violation quickly resume selling black-market products shortly after being raided and having the products seized – due to its low risk, for high reward.

Last week the Legislative Assembly Committee on Law and Safety tabled its report: E-cigarette regulation and compliance in NSW. Among the 13 recommendations, the committee called for:   

• The NSW Government to consider introducing a positive licensing scheme for tobacco retailers. 
• A review of NSW tobacco legislation to ensure alignment with new federal legislation. 
• And for the Ministry of Health to commence the Medicines, Poisons and Therapeutics Goods Act 2022 as a matter of priority, to support more robust enforcement. 

Among the submissions was a frank assessment from NSW Health Tobacco Control Officer Graham Baxter, who told the committee the current framework is not fit for purpose and fails to take into account the active involvement of organised crime in the illicit tobacco and e-cigarette market.

“We must do everything in our power to ensure the health and safety of our community, especially our teens and young people, and make illegal cigarettes and cheap vapes much harder to come by.

Mr. Clancy said law enforcement teams must also be given the power that they need to send a clear message to organised crime gangs that their time peddling their black-market products in our community is up.