South Australia Issues Closure Orders to 100 Stores over Illicit Tobacco and Vapes

Key Points

• South Australia has issued 100 28-day closure orders to stores found selling illicit tobacco and vapes.
• The State Government has seized approximately A$50 million worth of products, including more than 41 million cigarettes, 140,000 vapes, and 13,585 kilograms of loose tobacco.
• Two long-term closure orders have already been issued, with another five progressing through the Magistrates Court.
• South Australia’s response to tobacco and smoking has been recognised as nation-leading, recently judged the best in the country by the Australian Council on Smoking and Health.
• The Malinauskas Government has established a A$16 million illicit tobacco taskforce with Consumer and Business Services, targeting stores across metropolitan Adelaide and regional South Australia, with about 20% of raids taking place in regional areas.
• In addition to closure orders, South Australia was the first jurisdiction to introduce tough penalties of up to A$6.6 million for those caught selling a large commercial quantity of illicit tobacco and vapes.

2Firsts, 14 November 2025 — According to the Government of South Australia, the state is continuing to lead the way in the fight against illicit tobacco and vapes, with 100 stores across South Australia now subject to closure orders.

Since 5 June, when the Minister’s new closure order powers came into effect, 100 28-day closure orders have been issued to stores that were caught selling illicit tobacco and vapes.

The State Government has now seized product valued at approximately A$50 million, including more than:

• 41 million cigarettes
• 140,000 vapes
• 13,585 kilograms of loose tobacco

In addition, two long-term closure orders have been issued, with another five currently being progressed in the Magistrates Court.

South Australia has a nation-leading response to tackling tobacco and smoking, recently judged as the best in the country by the Australian Council on Smoking and Health.

The Malinauskas Government has been relentless in its fight against the illicit tobacco trade in South Australia. Through its dedicated A$16 million illicit tobacco taskforce with Consumer and Business Services, the Government has continued to shut down as many stores as possible to disrupt the business model being used by organised crime.

The taskforce has been active right across the state, closing stores in metropolitan Adelaide and regional South Australia, with approximately 20 per cent of raids taking place in regional areas.

In addition to closure orders, South Australia was the first jurisdiction to introduce tough new penalties, with fines of up to A$6.6 million for those caught selling a large commercial quantity of illicit tobacco and vapes.

The State has also championed nationally the introduction of a new offence for landlords who knowingly allow premises to be used to sell illicit tobacco and vapes, with penalties of up to A$20,000 for an individual and A$50,000 for a body corporate.

Source: Miragenews