The New South Wales lower house of parliament in Australia passed a bill that could see up to seven years in prison for selling illegal tobacco

Sep.12.2025

The NSW Lower House passed a bill cracking down on illegal tobacco. It allows health authorities to shut down non-compliant shops for up to 90 days and sets penalties of up to 7 years in prison or A$1.5 million in fines for large-scale sales. The opposition-led bill, backed by the government, targets organized crime funding and enhances public safety.

Key Points:

Severe punishment:

·The Health Department has been authorized to impose a maximum 90-day closure penalty on shops selling illegal tobacco.

·For commercial scale selling and possession, the maximum penalty is 7 years imprisonment or a fine of 1.5 million Australian dollars (approximately 1 million US dollars).

Political consensus:

·The bill was initially proposed by the opposition party in June, but has now received government support and has been officially passed.

·Senior members of the opposition party have unanimously stated that the new law is aimed at combating organized crime, protecting youth, and ensuring community safety.

Background of the issue:

·Illegal tobacco shops are increasing across various locations in New South Wales, Australia, becoming a source of funding for organized crime.

·These shops are often associated with violent incidents and sell cheap harmful products to minors.

Follow-up focus:

The opposition party emphasizes that legislation is only the first step, and that the key lies in the government's enforcement efforts and whether a comprehensive health plan will be implemented to reduce smoking rates.

In a groundbreaking move, the tough anti-illegal tobacco bill first proposed by the New South Wales Liberal Party in June 2025 has been passed in the lower house of the New South Wales state parliament, as reported by nswliberal on September 11, 2025.

A new law will crack down on the increasing number of illegal tobacco shops popping up on commercial streets in New South Wales. According to the new regulations, the New South Wales Department of Health has the authority to impose a closure penalty of up to 90 days on shops found to be selling illegal tobacco, which can be extended to 12 months with a court order. Penalties for selling or possessing a commercial quantity of illegal tobacco can result in up to 7 years in prison or a fine of up to 1.5 million Australian dollars (approximately 1 million US dollars).

The opposition leader, Mark Speakman, has welcomed the government's support for an alliance party proposal to crack down on illegal tobacco and organized crime.

Mark Speakman stated, "Organized crime gangs will not be allowed to dominate New South Wales. These laws will shut down their illegal tobacco shops, cut off the funds supporting unlawful activities, and hold them accountable. With the new laws in place, it is now imperative for the government to ensure enforcement is effective. The public expects to see these illegal shops completely shut down.

References:

[1] Tough illicit tobacco laws pass lower house

Also Read:

[1] New Law in New South Wales, Australia: Selling Illegal E-cigarettes May Lead to Up to 7 Years in Prison and Over One Million Dollars in Fines

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