Seven retailers across Lismore and Casino have been shut for 90 days this week, 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 3 November and Wednesday 4 November, NSW Health inspectors, with support of NSW Police, found and seized over 857,400 illicit cigarettes, approximately 87.75 kg of loose-leaf tobacco and more than 3,600 illicit vapes, with an estimated combined street value of over $1 million.
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.
The NSW Government has introduced some of the toughest penalties for illegal tobacco in the country:
- offences for the possession of a commercial quantity of illicit tobacco with a maximum penalty of over $1.5 million and 7 years’ imprisonment, or both
- penalties for the sale of illicit tobacco with a maximum penalty of over $1.5 million and 7 years’ imprisonment, or both
- the introduction of short-term (up to 90 days) and long-term (up to 12 months) closure orders for premises selling illicit tobacco, illegal vaping goods, or selling tobacco or non-tobacco smoking products without a licence
- new offences and penalties for anyone who breaches these closure orders, including for entering closed premises or selling products from closed premises
- new lease termination powers for landlords where a closure order is in place
- new nation-leading offences for falsely claiming to be licensed, resisting seizure, and attempting to retake seized products.
As of 30 October 2026, NSW Health inspectors have issued 523 short-term closure orders since the new powers came into effect in November 2025, with 123 in force to that date.
Since 1 January 2026, NSW Health has seized nearly 16 million illicit cigarettes, over 2.5 tonnes of illicit tobacco, and approximately 161,000 vapes.
On 1 July 2026, the NSW Government also introduced a new offence 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 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.
A full list of current tobacco closures can be found on Tobacco closure orders register.
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:
“These seven closures send a clear message: if you’re selling illicit tobacco or illegal vapes in NSW, there will be consequences.
“Our inspectors are working together with NSW Police to identify and shut down retailers who choose to profit from the illegal tobacco and vaping trade.
“Since the new powers came into effect, we’ve issued more than 500 closure orders and seized millions of illicit cigarettes and thousands of illegal vapes from circulation.
“These products undermine public health efforts and put communities at risk, and we will continue to use every tool at our disposal to target those doing the wrong thing.”
Quotes attributable to Minister for Small Business and the North Coast and Member for Lismore Janelle Saffin:
“NSW Police and NSW Health have repeatedly warned that there are serious penalties for dealing in contraband.
“Break the law and you can face 90-day closure orders, or fines and imprisonment, or both.
“The temptation is there to make a lot of fast money, but it’s just not on.”
Quotes attributable to NSW Acting Chief Health Officer Dr Michelle Cretikos:
“This operation demonstrates the strong enforcement partnership between NSW Health and NSW Police to disrupt the unlawful supply of tobacco and vaping products in our communities.
“Illicit tobacco and vaping products are often sold without regard for the laws designed to protect public health, including measures that help reduce smoking and vaping uptake among young people.
“Quitting smoking remains one of the best things people can do for their health. Anyone wanting support to quit smoking or vaping can speak to their GP, pharmacist or contact the NSW Quitline on 13 78 48.”
Quotes attributable to Richmond Police District Commander, Acting Superintendent David Piddington:
“The NSW Police Force is committed to working alongside NSW Health and our partner agencies to disrupt the illegal tobacco and vape supply within our communities.
“The illicit tobacco and vape trade is not a victimless activity. It fuels criminal enterprises, undermines legitimate businesses that comply with the law, and exposes our community to unregulated products.
“These enforcement activities demonstrate that retailers who choose to ignore the law can expect a coordinated response from authorities. We encourage anyone with information about the sale of illicit tobacco or illegal vaping products to report it. Community information plays an important role in helping agencies identify offending and protect public health.”
