Key points:
·National Legislation: Queensland, Australia introduces a ban on illegal tobacco and e-cigarette sales.
·Stern Measures: The new law allows health authorities to immediately shut down illegal shops for up to three months, with the possibility of extending to twelve months by court order.
·Zero Tolerance Policy: The government is taking a zero-tolerance stance, increasing on-the-spot fines, extending closure times, and holding landlords accountable.
·Community Support: The Australian Shopping Centre Council believes it will have a positive impact on the community.
·Effectiveness: From November 2024 to August 2025, Queensland has seized a large amount of illegal tobacco and e-cigarette products, issuing numerous closure orders and fines.
In a report by Retail World Magazine on September 18, 2025, Queensland, Australia introduced what is being hailed as the strictest nationwide ban on illegal tobacco and e-cigarettes. This legislation aims to tackle illegal tobacco trading through harsh measures and warns landlords of these shops.
This week, the Queensland Parliament officially introduced the Tobacco and Other Smoking Products (Illicit Trade) Amendment Act 2025. The new law will allow the Queensland health department to immediately shut down illegal businesses for up to three months, with court orders able to extend closures for up to twelve months.
In addition, the Queensland Health Department has the authority to seize all legal tobacco products contaminated with illegal tobacco and e-cigarette products found in illegal stores. Health officials will also be authorized to conduct undercover operations in these stores.
Queensland Minister for Health and Ambulance Services Tim Nicholls stated that these new legal regulations reflect the government's strong determination to eliminate criminal activities and prevent tobacco products from falling into the hands of minors. He noted, "The Crisafulli government has adopted a zero-tolerance policy, strengthened enforcement efforts, and implemented the highest on-the-spot fine standards in all of Australia.
Nicholls added, "We need to stop this 'whack-a-mole' game because every time we shut down an illegal store, it reopens within a few days or pops up elsewhere. We are now working diligently to crack down on illegal sellers with stricter penalties and extending closure times to hold landlords accountable as well.
Angus Nardi, CEO of the Australian Shopping Centre Council, stated, "The new law provides support and protection for landlords to terminate such lease agreements. We appreciate Health Minister Tim Nicholls' push for the regulations, which will have a positive impact on community safety.
According to data from the Queensland government, from November 1, 2024 to August 2025, the Queensland Health Department has seized over 420,000 illegal e-cigarettes, 52.4 million illegal cigarettes, and 7,500 kilograms of loose tobacco. During this period, the government issued over 140 temporary (3-day) closure orders and handed out more than 3,000 fines.
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