Ten retailers across the state were closed last week, including 8 in targeted enforcement action across south western Sydney, as the total number of closures across NSW is expected to reach 500 this week since new powers came into effect last year.
Locations in Tahmoor, the Oaks, Camden and Campbelltown have been shut for 90 days during targeted operations led by NSW Health with the assistance of NSW Police, to disrupt the supply of illicit tobacco and vapes in the region.
While implementing the closure orders on Tuesday 6 October and Wednesday 7 October, NSW Health inspectors, with support of NSW Police, found and seized over 420,000 illicit cigarettes, approximately 60kg of loose-leaf tobacco and more than 4,000 illicit vapes, with an estimated combined street value of over $600,000.
As part of the operation, a premises at Campbelltown was uncovered operating a ‘drive-through’ style tobacconist, selling illicit tobacco and illegal vapes through a laneway service window. NSW Health has referred the matter to local council compliance officers to assess potential breaches of NSW planning legislation.
Further investigations will follow these operations and additional enforcement action, including prosecution, may take place.
Closure orders may be issued to a retail premises for selling illicit tobacco or illicit vaping goods and/or the retail sale of tobacco or non-tobacco smoking products without a licence.
NSW Health and NSW Police actively monitor premises during a closure order and take all reports of closure order breaches very seriously. If breaches are identified, the relevant agency will consider further enforcement action, including closure orders and investigation of subsequent breaches for prosecution.
NSW Health works in collaboration with NSW Police to enforce tobacco retailing laws, including sharing information and undertaking joint activities.
As of 8 October, NSW Health inspectors have issued 493 short-term closure orders since the new powers came into effect in November 2025, with 137 in force to that date. Further closure orders this week are expected to tip this number over 500.
Since 1 January 2026, NSW Health, has seized over 15 million illicit cigarettes, approximately 2.4 tonnes of illicit tobacco, and over 154,000 vapes.
On 1 July 2026 a new offence was introduced under the Public Health (Tobacco) Act 2008 (the Act), for a commercial lessor that knowingly permits premises to be used for the sale of illicit tobacco or illicit vaping goods.
This new offence targets landlords who are aware of tenants selling illicit tobacco or vaping goods from their premises and who knowingly permit this illicit activity to continue.
The Act currently allows a lessor to terminate a retail shop lease if a premises is subject to a closure order by giving the tenant at least 28 days’ notice. Landlords are encouraged to obtain their own legal advice to ensure they are complying with the law.
Since coming to office, the Minns Labor Government has introduced some of the toughest penalties for illegal tobacco in the country:
- ramped up penalties – prison sentences of up to 7 years;
- fines of over $1.5 million;
- implemented a tobacco licensing scheme to better identify bad actors;
- closing down stores that do the wrong thing; and
- landlords who knowingly permit the sale of illicit tobacco will face penalties.
A full list of current tobacco closures can be found on the NSW Health website.
Members of the public can lodge complaints about retailers they believe are doing the wrong thing via the reporting portal on the NSW Health website.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Health, Ryan Park:
“It’s great news that we’ve closed nearly 500 retailers since our enforcement efforts ramped up last year, a reminder for those who are doing the wrong thing that we are serious and they will be face regulatory action.
“Our inspectors actively monitor retailers, and if we find that you are continuing to sell these illicit products after being served a closure order, we will shut you down again and you will face further enforcement action.
“It’s clear that the federal tobacco excise is at such a rate that people are turning to illegal tobacco with illegal tobacconists flourishing in our suburbs and communities.
“So long as the excise continues to remain high, the black market will continue, and we will have to keep playing whack-a-mole with bad actors.
“We continue to strengthen our efforts to bolster enforcement activity, and ramp up efforts across the state to stop the sale of illicit tobacco and illegal vapes.”
Quotes attributable to NSW Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant:
“The operation in south western Sydney is a great example of our enforcement efforts to disrupt the supply of unlawful tobacco and vaping products.
“These closures show that our teams are ready to act swiftly and are committed to having a stronger oversight of the illicit tobacco and illegal trade to help protect public health for communities across the state.
“Quitting smoking remains one of the most beneficial things an individual can do to improve their health. If you need support to quit smoking or vaping talk to your GP or Pharmacist or call the NSW Quitline on 13 78 48.”
Quotes attributable to NSW Police Force, Crime Manager, Camden Police Area Command, Detective Chief Inspector Paul Albury:
“Joint illicit tobacco and vaping operations help disrupt organised crime networks to better protect our communities.
“These retailers are not legitimate local businesses. They are criminal networks that take advantage and cause danger to the public.
“It is important to remove these illegal products and take action against organised crime figures who distribute them to keep our communities safe.
“We will continue to support NSW Health to respond to the illegal trade of illicit tobacco and vapes.”
/Public Release. View in full here.
